Coronavirus: Metro Public Health Officials Give COVID-19 Update (March 22)

Press release from the City of Nashville:

3/21/2020

By Chris Song

Mayor John Cooper’s office issued the following announcements on Metro’s citywide coronavirus (COVID-19) monitoring and response efforts in coordination with area hospitals, healthcare providers, and other community partners:

Mayor's Office

Mayor John Cooper today announced the “Safer at Home Order,” issued by the Medical Director pursuant to the Metro of Public Health Department’s declaration of a Health Emergency. This order closes non-essential businesses and encourages residents throughout Davidson County to stay home when possible and avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people for non-essential purposes.

Until further notice, all businesses not performing essential services have been ordered closed for 14 days beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 23. A complete list of essential service categories can be found at covid19.nashville.gov.

This new public health measure is an extension of actions the city has already taken to reduce public gatherings and contact. The order will further protect Nashville residents and support the work of Nashville’s healthcare providers by “flattening the curve” of the coronavirus disease across Davidson County. The “Safer at Home Order” in response to COVID-19 is reflective of a close partnership between Metro Government and local healthcare partners.

Metro Public Health Department

Metro Public Health Department officials announced today a total number of 179 confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Nashville/Davidson County, an increase of 46 cases in the past 24 hours. The age range for all confirmed cases in Nashville is from 11 to 73 years old. Of the confirmed cases, one patient has died from complications due to the Coronavirus. Two others remain hospitalized. 27 people have recovered from the virus, an increase of eight in the past 24 hours. The remaining 149 cases are self-isolating at home and have mild and manageable symptoms.

Total number of Cases: 179

Number of Cases confirmed today: 46

Cases by sex

• Male: 68
• Female: 79
• Unknown: 32

Cases by age

Health officials remind everyone to take steps to stop the spread of germs like COVID-19. These include:

• Practice social distancing as defined by the CDC. Avoid large gatherings, and maintain distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay home if you are sick,
• Stay away from people who are sick.

• Metro Water has suspended cut-offs and will waive late fees for the month of March. Metro Water Services customers who have found themselves experiencing financial hardship may request a payment plan for outstanding balances by calling 615-862-4600.
• Metro Water Services remain fully operational, but the building’s lobby is closed until further notice.
• Effective Wednesday, March 18, Metro Water Services, Division of Development Services, will only be available to customers through scheduled appointments. Walk-in customers applying for tornado relief damages are welcome.
• All payment channels, except for the over-the-counter transactions, are open, including the outdoor kiosk.
• Please contact Metro Water Services between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday to schedule an appointment:
  • Permits: 615-862-4084
  • Infill: 615-862-4276
  • Plans Review: mws.eplansrev@nashville.gov
  • Water/Sewer Projects: 615-862-7195
  • Stormwater Pre-Construction: 615-880-2420

Nashville Electric Service

Customer Accommodations

• NES is suspending all power disconnections for non-payment until May 31. We encourage customers to pay by phone, by credit card or ACH transfer.
• NES is waiving late-fee charges and will absorb credit card fees on behalf of our customers until May 31.
• They ask that customers let us know if there’s a need to make extended payment arrangements. To do so, please call 615-736-6900.
• In addition, NES will be working with commercial customers on billing and payment concerns, as well potential energy management issues once production restarts to avoid or reduce potential negative impacts.

Customer Lobby Guidelines

• To continue providing an essential service to Middle Tennessee, NES remains open to serve their customers.
• Only 10 customers at a time will be permitted to enter the NES customer lobby.
• Lobby hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Health and safety are a top priority. NES will regularly clean and sanitize all customer contact surfaces.
• Hand sanitizer is also for customer use.
• NES has also taken measures to ensure safe distancing and rotating shifts for our employees.

Metro Public Works

• All Metro Convenience Centers will be reopening tomorrow, March 21 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., but will operate on Saturdays only until further notice.
• Metro Convenience Centers will only be accepting recyclable materials and up to 3 bags of household trash. No other items or materials will be accepted at this time.
• Metro recycling drop-off locations will remain open and will not be impacted by scheduling changes.

Transportation

WeGo Transit

• All Metro public transit systems remain fully operational.
• WeGo Public Transit has increased the frequency of its fleet and facility disinfecting program, with greater focus on surfaces touched most frequently by customers and employees.
• Signs have been posted around the Central Bus Station and other WeGo facilities to promote healthy handwashing and other habits when riding public transit.
• For more information, please visit the WeGo Transit website.

Courts and Offices

Metro Beer Permit Board

• Beginning Friday, March 20, permit holders with an “on-sale” or “on/off sale” permit may deliver their products to customer in commercially sealed containers.
• Inspectors will continue to conduct initial inspections. They have made changes, however, to the procedures related to these inspections to protect the health and safety of our inspectors and the applicants. Inspectors will be physically present at the location but will conduct the inspection from their vehicle.
• As of this moment, the only meeting cancelled is the night meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 25.
• Assuming an applicant submits the necessary documents, they will be able to grant a temporary permit until such time as the board meets again in an official capacity.
• Any hearings scheduled for that meeting will be rescheduled.
• Similarly, any special events that were cancelled due to COVID-19 will not require a new application or additional fee.
• You may continue to contact them by phone at: 615-862-6751. You may continue to email them at the general email address: beerboard@nashville.gov. Additionally, if you would like to schedule an initial inspection, please email their inspectors at: initialinspections@nashville.gov

Metro Social Services

• MSS doors will reopen on Friday, March 20 with abbreviated walk-in hours from 9 a.m.-1 pm.
• If you need information or assistance with tornado relief, Metro Social Services staff are located at the following locations:
  • Hermitage/Donelson: Hermitage Community Center; 3720 James Kay Lane, Hermitage, 37076.
  • North Nashville/Germantown: Hadley Park Community Center; 1037 28th Ave N, Nashville, 37208.
  • East Nashville: East Park Community Center; 600 Woodland Street, Nashville, 37206.
• If it is not an emergency. we encourage you to call 615-862-6432 to provide services over the phone.
• More information on Metro Public Works Convenience Centers

COVID-19 Response Fund

Need Assistance?

If you are experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis, the United Way of Greater Nashville COVID-19 Response Fund may be able to help. Visit the Nashville Response Fund for a list of nonprofits and partners that are helping with:

• Rental/mortgage payments
• Food
• Utility Payments
• Other financial assistance and support

If you are interested in donating to the COVID-19 Response Fund, you can do so by visiting United Way Nashville's Donation page.

This press release was produced by the City of Nashville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.