Monday, April 20 coronavirus updates: Cases across state reach 7,238

Tennessean staff

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Most of Tennessee's state parks will reopen Friday

Most of Tennessee's state parks will reopen Friday, the park system announced Monday.

Of the 56 state parks, most will reopen as early as Friday. The specific parks set to reopen haven't been shared but will be announced this week on the park system's website.

The parks could possibly close again if proper social distancing isn't practiced, the news release said.

Facilities and gathering areas, including pavilions and playgrounds, cabins, lodges, restaurants, campgrounds and group camps will remain closed. 

State will begin releasing more information about nursing homes 

During Monday's news conference, Dr. Lisa Piercey, Department of Health Commissioner, said the state will begin releasing a weekly report on nursing homes and longterm care facilities.

The weekly report will list the number of coronavirus cases and deaths each facility is seeing among patients and staff members. 

State to begin phased reopening next week

On Monday, Gov. Bill Lee announced that the state would begin reopening the majority of its businesses next week and he will let the safer at home order expire April 30. 

“Our Economic Recovery Group is working with industry leaders around the clock so that some businesses can open as soon as Monday, April 27,” said Gov. Lee. “These businesses will open according to specific guidance that we will provide in accordance with state and national experts in both medicine and business.”

Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan counties will work with the Lee administration to plan their reopening strategies. 

The reopening of businesses across the state doesn't mean that Tennesseans should abandon social distancing efforts, Lee said. 

Most state parks will reopen as early as Friday, April 24. 

United Way distributes $1M from COVID-19 fund

United Way of Greater Nashville announced Monday that it had distributed $1.17 million to 44 local nonprofits that are helping individuals and families impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

In total, the fund has raised over $3.9 million, of which $2 million has been distributed, the organization said in a news release.

Agencies that received the funding are providing basic essentials, childcare services, crisis support, domestic violence support, food security, healthcare, immigration services, mental health support, personal protective equipment, rent and mortgage assistance and utility assistance to those in need.

Cases across state reach 7,238

The Tennessee Department of Health announced Monday that cases across the state had reached 7,238, up 168 cases since Sunday.

Of those infected, 152 have died, an increase of four deaths from the state's report Sunday. 

At least 730 people have been hospitalized in Tennessee, and 3,575 have recovered.

Jail coronavirus cases increase 

The number of inmates in the Davidson County jail system who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus has increased since last week. 

As of Monday morning, 11 inmates have tested positive, as well as seven employees, up from eight inmates and five employees as of last Thursday. One of the employees has recovered from the virus and returned to work, according to the agency. 

Inmates who have tested positive are being housed in medical isolation as needed, a release from DCSO indicated. 

Davidson County cases rise to 1,903

Metro Public Health Department officials announced 1,903 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Monday, an increase of 152 in the past 24 hours from 1,751 cases announced Sunday.

During his morning briefing on Monday, Mayor John Cooper warned that the 1,008 active cases represented a 25% increase over the weekend in Davidson County.

Testing in the county is up by 11%, but positive results are up by 19%, according to Metro Nashville Board of Health chairman Dr. Alex Jahangir.

The confirmed cases range in age from 2 months to 99 years. 

Twenty deaths have been reported — no increase from Sunday. The health department reports that 875 individuals have recovered from the virus.

There have been 17,773 people tested in Davidson County with 15,870 of those tests negative for the coronavirus, the health department reported.

Hundreds stage #FreeTN rallies across the state hoping for end of shutdown

Tennesseans in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson and Memphis participated in #FreeTN rallies on Sunday to express their grievances against the state's Safer at Home Executive Orders.

Their hope was that Gov. Bill Lee would announce an immediate end to the statewide shutdown and to make social distancing a guideline not directive.

Some hugged and offered each other a kiss on the cheek. Others shook hands and smiled. In Nashville — at the steps of the State Capitol Building — more than 300 people brushed elbows or bumped knees, their demonstration posters and American flags waving. Almost no one wore masks as they chanted together: "Open up Tennessee. Open up Tennessee."

More:Demonstrators gather throughout Tennessee to protest stay-at-home order

"We're all here for one reason," Kim Edwards, a Nashville rally organizer, urged the crowd. "And it's our rights. It's our freedom."

Tennessee cases reach at least 7,070 on Sunday

The Tennessee Department of Health announced that the statewide cases of COVID-19 had reached 7,070 on Sunday, an increase of 308 from Saturday.

There have been 148 deaths in Tennessee from the coronavirus, an increase of three deaths from the previous 24 hours.

The state's health department reported 724 hospitalizations and that 3,344 of Tennesseans who tested positive for the coronavirus have recovered.

Nearly 6,600 tests conducted at state's asymptomatic sites Saturday

Tennessee's offer to test residents around the state regardless of their coronavirus symptoms brought out thousands on Saturday.

A total of 6,595 tests were conducted, according a state health department official.

Results should be available within 72 hours but could take longer depending on volume, state health officials said.

Davidson County cases rise to 1,751

Metro Public Health Department officials announced 1,751 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, an increase of 71 in the past 24 hours.

The confirmed cases range in age from 2 months to 94 years. 

Twenty deaths have been reported — no increase from Saturday. The health department reports that 871 individuals have recovered from the virus.

There have been 17,044 people tested in Davidson County with 15,293 of those tests negative for the coronavirus, the health department reported.