MEMPHIS, Tenn. — COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus and cases are spreading around the Mid-South since the virus arrived in the United States in February.
At Local 24, our coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit our coronavirus section for comprehensive coverage, find out what you need to know about COVID-19, learn more about the symptoms, and keep tabs on the cases around the world here.
We will continue to track the most important coronavirus elements relating to Memphis and the Mid-South on this page. Refresh often for new information
LIVE UPDATES
All Shelby County municipalities to remain in Phase 2 of Back to Business Plan
(GERMANTOWN NEWS RELEASE) - Per the recommendation of the Shelby County Health Department, all municipalities within the county, including Germantown, will remain in Phase II of the Back to Business Plan. At this time, the Health Department has not established a date for Phase III, as the move will depend on the stabilization of the number of COVID-19 cases. In order to consider a move to Phase III, the Shelby County Health Department will need to see either a downward trend or a stabilization in cases. In addition, the demand on hospital capacity and overall hospitalizations will also need to decrease.
The recommendation comes from Health Department officials’ continued analysis of data since the move to Phase II on May 19. As daily reports indicate, Shelby County has seen a continued increase in daily case numbers, as well as an increase in hospitalizations. The Health Department is seeing evidence of community-wide spread, as well as a reproduction rate of the virus that is not decreasing. In addition, the County did not meet the gating criteria necessary to move forward to Phase III.
“While we share the community’s disappointment in this announcement, it is absolutely critical that we all do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo. Officials from the Shelby County Health Department are emphasizing that residents adhere to social distancing measures and wear facial coverings when in public. “We all have to do our part by continuing to follow the advice of our local health officials if we want to move forward with our reopening plan,” Palazzolo added. The City of Germantown is committed to making decisions based strictly on data in order to help keep the community safe from this life-threatening virus.
As we continue to remain in Phase II, the following City of Germantown facilities are open while adhering to guidelines set forth by the Shelby County Health Department.
Phase II of the Back to Business Plan prohibits the gathering of purposeful groups of 50 or more.
The Germantown Community Library is open to the public at 50% capacity. Hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. To enter the library, visitors over two years of age must wear a mask; visitors will also be required to check their temperature using an infrared thermometer provided by the library; and will also be asked a series of health screening questions. All visitor health screening information will be kept confidential and will not be recorded for future use. Children, up to and including those 15 years of age, must have direct parental/guardian supervision.
In this phase, the Germantown Community Library has a “keep-moving” environment for visitors. Visitors are able to briefly peruse the library collection and check out library materials at the circulation desk. Staff is available, inside the Library, to help visitors locate and check out library materials to allow other visitors to enter the building in a timely manner.
The Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center and the Friends of the Germantown Community Library Bookstore remain closed to the public. In addition, the library is not accepting volunteers at this time.
All trails, park restrooms, tennis courts and open spaces parks remain open and accessible to the public. In addition, the Houston Levee Skate Park, Forgey Dog Park, the disc golf course at Johnson Road Park and the Bobby Lanier Farm Park are also open to the public.
All playgrounds, the outdoor multi-purpose sports court at Farmington Park, public water fountains and rental facilities remain closed at this time. These public spaces are not staffed and do not allow for proper cleaning and disinfecting in between each public use. The concern for the playgrounds is the lack of social distancing among small children and gathering of large crowds.
The Germantown Athletic Club is open with a capacity of 50%. Any additional information or changes will be communicated directly to Club members.
The Germantown Performing Arts Center auditorium and lobby will remain closed to the public. GPAC is hosting limited capacity events within the Grove.
The Great Hall & Conference Center is open to small group rentals.
Germantown Municipal Court activities have resumed.
City Hall remains closed to the public, but service delivery is not impacted.
WATCH: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves gives update on COVID-19 in the state
2:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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WATCH: Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force briefing as Phase 3 of reopening is delayed amid largest single-day increase in cases
2:00 p.m. - The Shelby County Health Department, representatives from the COVID-19 Joint Task force and representatives from Shelby County healthcare systems will make an announcement regarding the county’s COVID-19 response.
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Tennessee reports 728 new cases and 8 new deaths in the state; more than 20,062 recoveries
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 728 new cases and 8 new deaths, for a total of 31,160 cases and 483 deaths in the state.
There are 2,106 hospitalizations, and 20,062 have recovered. 629,769 have been tested in the state.
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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(KTHV) - According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there are 406 new COVID-19 cases in the state within the last 24 hours, totaling 12,501 total positive coronavirus cases in Arkansas.
Monday, June 15 marks the beginning of Phase II in Arkansas. Restaurants and businesses will be allowed to fill up to two-thirds of their capacity, moving from the one-third capacity that was allowed during Phase 1.
On Friday, the governor announced 731 new cases, revealing the largest spike in COVID-19 cases Arkansas has seen since the start of the pandemic.
Key facts to know:
- 12,501 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 4,212 active cases
- 179 reported deaths
- 201 hospitalizations
- 45 on ventilators
- 8,110 recoveries
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283 new cases & 4 new deaths in MS
11:50 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 283 new cases and 4 new deaths, for a total of 19,799 cases and 895 deaths in the state.
Desoto County has had a total of 718 cases; 13 deaths.
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Rebel Aid 2 to respond to COVID-19 Pandemic; to assist Ole Miss students when they return to campus
As the University of Mississippi prepares for the fall semester, many members of the Ole Miss family continue to struggle financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To help serve the needs of students, their families and the university community, Ole Miss will host a second two-day fundraising event, Rebel Aid, set for Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17.
The first Rebel Aid event in April received a swift response from donors who supported urgent needs related to pandemic closures, both on campus and off.
For Rebel Aid 2, organizers' goals are to help ensure that every Ole Miss student has a chance to enroll, stay healthy on campus and receive the services and assistance they need to continue their educational pursuits.
To help those students, donors will have an opportunity to contribute to the new Rebel Retention Fund, which will give small grants to students in good academic standing to clear the balance on their accounts and keep them enrolled.
Rebel Aid 2 also will address alumni and student needs through new Career Center projects aimed at helping graduates of all ages navigate the worst job market in memory. A new, user-friendly software platform for student, alumni and employer access was already in the works, but the project has much more urgency now, said Toni Avant, the center's director.
At the same time, traditional Career Center events such as the Engineering Career Fair, All Majors Career Expo and the Graduate/Professionals Schools Fair no longer can happen in person and must move to a virtual format, which comes at a cost.
At its core, Rebel Aid 2 has one purpose: to bring the Ole Miss family back to campus safely and help ensure everyone's success during a difficult time, organizers said.
To participate in Rebel Aid 2, click here on Tuesday and Wednesday. Donors can choose from six projects: the Rebel Retention Fund, University Career Center, Rebel Relief Fund, Ole Miss Food Bank, University Health Services and the Ole Miss Fund.
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CMOM reopens Tuesday, June 16
10:30 a.m. - The Children’s Museum of Memphis is “re” opening its doors June 16, just in time to celebrate its much anticipated 30th anniversary.
June 16, 1990, will forever be a landmark date in the hearts of the visionaries whose dream of a children’s museum in their hometown became a reality when the doors opened for the first time. Over the past thirty years, CMOM has seen its mission come to life in the eyes of children: engaging children in playful learning.
Exactly 30 years after it first opened, CMOM will reopen after its temporary closing due to the COVID19 pandemic.
History of the museum:
- 1988: Lease the armory for $1 per year from the City of Memphis
- 1990: Grand Opening – 12,000 square foot of exhibit space
- 2001: Grand Opening on Expansion: Additional 8,000 square feet of exhibit space (20,000 sq. ft. total)
- 2013: Grand Opening of H2Oh! Splash Park and Outdoor PlaySpace
- 2017: Grand Opening of the Memphis Grand Carousel & Pavilion
To kick off its yearlong celebration, CMOM is offering a $16 discount on new, renewed and gift memberships from June 1 – June 30.
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256 new cases & ZERO new deaths in Shelby County (6,892 cases/139 deaths total); more than 4,744 recoveries
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 256 new COVID-19 cases with no new deaths, for a total of 6,892 cases and 139 deaths in the county.
There have been 4,744 recoveries. 98,105 have been tested in the county.
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Red Cross testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies
8:00 a.m. - Beginning today, the American Red Cross will be testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, which will let donors know if they have been exposed to this coronavirus.
At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.
Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.
You can make an appointmne to donate in the Red Cross Blood Donor App, donor portal or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.*
Blood drive safety precautions:
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities, June 15-30:
American Red Cross Chapter Memphis, 1399 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104
- 6/16/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- 6/23/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- 6/30/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saint Francis Hospital, 2986 Kate Bond Road Bartlett, TN 38133
- 6/22/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saint Francis Hospital, 5959 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38119
- 6/18/2020: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
SouthPoint Church, 2010 Stateline Road West Southaven, MS 38671
- 6/29/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantries for Monday, June 15
Bring driver’s license OR a current utility or other bill that verifies name and address in the county where the distribution takes place. You will be asked to fill out a short eligibility form. Only two households per vehicle please. If you are picking up for someone else, you must have their ID and they count as one household. Take note of Mobile Pantries that require pre-registration.
Food is placed in the back seat, trunk or truck bed by volunteers, so be sure you have space.
- Memphis, McFarland Community Center, 4955 Cottonwood 38115, 10 a.m. First 300 households.
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Coronavirus in Context:
The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80-percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.