Tennessee hospitals could quickly run out of hospital beds for coronavirus patients if the surge in severe cases mirrors that of other countries.

Across Tennessee there are 168 hospitals, mental health and long-term care facilities with the capacity of roughly 24,700 beds, according to state hospital reports.

On average, these hospitals have a daily occupancy rate of about 50% for all of those beds, but the Tennessee Hospital Association is looking at ways to free up as many beds as possible.

"Providing some (hospital) visits via telemedicine is a high priority," THA President/CEO Wendy Long said during a press conference on Thursday. "We are looking at doing anything we can do to free up beds and resources, like cancelling elective surgeries and really upping our efforts to discharge patients."

Even so, a large spike could quickly impact the state's hospitals.

Assuming a conservative infection rate of 7.4% infection — similar to a mild flu season — roughly 500,000 Tennesseans could get coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

About 70,000 of those people could be over the age of 60, the most vulnerable population to the coronavirus.

It is unclear how many of those total cases would need hospitalization.

In China, where the outbreak began, roughly 20% of confirmed coronavirus cases involved hospitalizations for severe or critical symptoms.

"Those who are elderly or those with medical problems are at an increased risk," Dr. Stephen Threlkeld, co-director of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis infection prevention program.

Threlkeld added that hospitals are facing a complicated question.

"The bottom line is right now we need to maximize testing and maximize whatever we can do to slow down the spread," he said.

At that same press conference, Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency over Covid-19 and encouraged individuals to avoid crowds in order to reduce the spread of the disease.

"Stopping it from spreading quickly will ensure that our healthcare system can effectively manage the cases that present themselves in our state," Gov. Lee said.

Several schools, universities and sports organizations around the state and country have either canceled events or taken steps reduce large gathers like playing games without fans and holding classes online-only.

"These actions are in an effort to flatten the curve that is phrase you'll likely hear more about that deals slowing the number of cases in order to reduce the strain on our hospitals, healthcare resources and allow our community more time to prepare," said Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee's heath commissioner.

Reach Adam Friedman by email at afriedman@jacksonsun.com, by phone at 731-431-8517 or follow him on Twitter @friedmanadam5.