More than two weeks ago in Nashville, crowded parks, packed restaurants and bustling honky-tonks on Lower Broadway were the norm.

This behavior caused Mayor John Cooper and health officials on March 15 to issue stricter measures as they tried to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Bars were ordered to shut down and for restaurants to operate at half capacity.

Then, more restrictive steps: only take-out, delivery or curbside services and the closure of gyms. Officials on March 22 implemented a "Safer at Home" order that closed all non-essential services in the city — essentially prohibiting any large gatherings.

But despite those orders, the city has received "hundreds of reports" of violations, Metro's Health Director Dr. Michael Caldwell said Wednesday. But Brian Todd, a spokesperson for the department, clarified later Wednesday they had not received hundreds of complaints.

The health officials told The Tennessean they've separately received 43 complaints on businesses for being out of compliance. Twenty-four have been investigated and closed and officials are working to close the remainder as they continue to respond to complaints from the public.

As of Wednesday, officials have not fined anyone or pulled any permits.

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After the city’s Safer at Home orders were imposed — which is among the strictest in the state — Nashville city officials have grappled with how to enforce the orders. Policing people to stay in their homes except for essential work and errands is uncharted territory for officials and police.

Currently taking an "education and awareness" approach, the city Wednesday signaled a possible shift to a more aggressive stance to ensure compliance as the number of COVID-19 cases balloons in the city.

Officials reported that a fourth person had died because of the virus. As of Wednesday, there were at least 673 confirmed cases, up 132 from the previous reporting period.

"Nashville is at a critical time in our city's response to this disease. An effective response can save thousands," Cooper said. "Metro departments are coordinating to take measures that are appropriate actions to enforce our Safer at Home public order and keep our residents safe"

The city has put together 10 enforcement teams, each consisting of two health inspectors and a police officer.

They will have the authority, Cooper said, to give misdemeanor citations, fines, file nuisance actions and temporary injunctions. Businesses can have licenses and permits revoked and issued padlock orders.

Officers also on patrol are reminding groups of people gathering in close proximity about the importance of social distancing, while Metro Parks is responsible for addressing gatherings at its locations.

"These steps are absolutely necessary to ensure that people are keeping apart and not spreading the virus," said Dr. Alex Jahangir, the chair of the city's coronavirus task force. "Social distancing has proven to be the most effective way to combat this virus. And we know humans spread this virus. If it is not an absolute necessity. I need you to stay at home."

After the first order for bar closures and restaurants to reduce capacity, the health department canvassed 842 establishments and found 819 in compliance by one of the following methods:

498 were found in operation and in compliance;

169 had gone to take-out only;

127 had voluntarily closed;

25 bars were closed;

14 establishments were out of compliance, but got into compliance during the visit;

5 were out of compliance with reduced capacity;

4 bars were open and out of compliance and directed by inspectors to close.

Caldwell said Wednesday that when following up on orders, inspectors have observed that in most cases, it was a misinterpretation of the order by someone who reported the compliant or that person or businesses didn't understand the order and "immediately complied" after.

Metro is expected to post an amended Safer at Home order that provides specific outlines for what is required for social distancing. It will include not allowing as many people into a grocery store and needing to provide certain visual cues of space.

Yihyun Jeong covers politics in Nashville for USA TODAY NETWORK - TENNESSEE. Reach her at yjeong@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @yihyun_jeong.