As of yesterday afternoon, there are now 52 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state of Tennessee, according to state health officials. The Tennessee Department of Health released these updated numbers which shows an increase of 13 cases since Sunday.
Davidson County, where I live, has the most cases at 25.
Here's the thing though: I believe there are more cases, but they're not confirmed, the reason being is that testing for the virus is very hard to come by! I've seen quite a few of you say that if you get symptoms you'll get tested. It's not as easy as you would think, apparently. There are few tests and a LOT of people demanding them, and from what I've read, the folks who administer the tests in any given state are being extremely choosy who gets tested because there simply aren't enough test kits to go around.
Our Governor is trying to solve that. He said that the state health department and private sector are working together to increase testing availability. He said there will be more than a dozen remote testing sites across six major metropolitan areas by the end of the week, allowing people to bypass hospitals and health clinics. I guess we'll see if that actually happens. I've read similar reports over the last couple of weeks, but those deadlines weren't met.
He also said this: “I do think that the numbers are higher than what’s being reported here and in Nashville, we know, because there aren’t enough tests to really test all the people we need to, in Tennessee and in this country," said Strickland. “So, we feel pretty strongly that the numbers will go up when the large batch of tests come, hopefully within the week.”
And see, I think that's the issue in every state. I can't tell you how many reports I've read on social media of folks going to get tested and they're turned away. They can't get a test, even when they present with absolutely classic, spot on symptoms. Here is one, of many, examples:
I exhibit every single symptom of COVID-19, from fever to dry cough to fatigue to chills to shortness of breath.
I have been self-quarantining for several days already, and am young and strong and am not worried about my ability to overcome this. However, I felt it vital to get tested so that there were accurate numbers about its spread and so that I did my part to contribute data re: the virus's spread.
After 30 minutes on various numbers that falsely claim to be hotlines for COVID-19, I finally got a human being at Oschner and spoke to an intake doctor.The very first question was whether I was immunocompromised in any way (HIV, infant, living in a retirement facility, etc). I answered no.
Due to 'a tightening of testing restrictions issued by the Office of Public Health', I was told point-blank that I do not qualify for a Coronavirus test. I explained to the doctor that I exhibit every symptom. She told me if I was a walk-in experiencing every symptom I would still not be tested, and that I am welcome to come to the hospital if my symptoms worsen and become life-threatening.
What a @#$% dystopia. Don't believe any numbers or any reportage about the spread of this virus in America. If a person exhibiting every single symptom can't be tested because they are otherwise healthy, all data are skewed and we are completely in the dark about this virus and its spread.
Furious at the priorities in this country. The richest country in the world, yet simultaneously the poorest where it really counts.
