Murfreesboro, TN – COVID cases are starting to climb in Rutherford County. A physician in the local ER said we’re seeing four new cases each day, and that is not representative of our regular population. He stressed that the increases are with persons who do not have a strong immune system, or have pre-existing diseases and most are senior citizens.

Dr. Dan Rudd, the physician you heard on WGNS during the pandemic period, told WGNS… That is Tennessee information, and not the snapshot of the total U.S.

CDC - The Center for Disease Control reports that around 37 per cent of the new COVID cases in the United States are the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants KP.2, KP.2.3, KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, as well as LB.1. The physician described it as “packing a wallop and being very uncomfortable.”

Do I have COVID or the flu - For those suffering from flu those symptoms body aches, respiratory issues, and a fever. Those can also be COVID-19 symptoms. Therefore, if you feel unwell, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider for testing to determine whether you have the flu or COVID-19.

Reducing flu cases through vaccination not only benefits your health, but also helps reduce the strain on hospitals, especially as respiratory illnesses rise in conjunction with COVID-19.

COVID Symptoms

• High fever, shivering or chills
• Loss of or change in your ability to smell or taste
• 3 or more coughing episodes in one day
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired and exhausted Headache Runny nose

Things you can do to lessen COVID’s discomfort

• Get lots of rest
• Drink plenty of water
• If you have a cough, take a teaspoon of honey
• Sit/sleep in an upright chair

Week-to-Week in Rutherford County: From week to week, the number of new COVID-19 cases seems to be on a roller-coaster ride, fluctuating between highs and lows. For instance, there were 137 new cases during the week of July 21, 2024, which rose to 202 two weeks later, on August 4. Four weeks after that, on September 1, the number of new cases reported to the Health Department dropped to 133.

School Age Children: In the past six months, there have been 214 confirmed COVID-19 cases among school-aged children in Rutherford County. While this number might not seem high, it is nearly half of the 434 cases reported in the much larger city of Nashville over the same period. Statewide, 7,756 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among children ages 5 to 18, according to the Tennessee Department of Health, with the largest percentage of cases occurring in the 14 to 18-year-old age group.

6-Month Snapshot for Rutherford County: Over the past six months, there have been a total of seven hospitalizations for COVID-positive patients in Rutherford County, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. During the same 180-day period, nine deaths were reported where COVID was listed as the cause.

6-Month Snapshot in Nearby Counties: Over the past six months, in places like Bedford County, located south of Murfreesboro, nine people were hospitalized for COVID, and two died from complications directly linked to the virus. North of Murfreesboro, in Wilson County, 11 residents were hospitalized, and one person died as a result of COVID. To the east, in the Woodbury area of Rutherford County, there has been one death and one hospitalization tied to COVID.

Read more about COVID numbers, trends and past data HERE.