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
Memphis Mayor's daily COVID-19 update
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Governor orders Tennesseans stay home unless carrying out essential activities
4:55 p.m. - More from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee:
Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.
Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live this week Monday through Thursday at 3 p.m. CDT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.
Administration Actions
Executive Order 23 – Requiring Tennesseans to Remain at Home
Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 23 today requiring that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.
Data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation analyzed traffic patterns for March 2020. While safer at home measures and further restrictions on businesses showed a steep drop-off in vehicle movement from March 13-29, data beginning on March 30 indicates travel is trending upwards, again.
The Administration also analyzed data from Unacast to understand cell phone mobility and determine movement trends among people. Unacast indicates the movement of Tennesseans is trending toward pre-COVID-19 levels.
The executive order remains in effect until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Additional information is available here.
Surge Capacity
Today, FEMA approved Tennessee’s COVID-19 major disaster declaration. This accelerates efforts to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers and expand statewide capacity by an additional 7,000 beds.
The Corps of Engineers is working for FEMA and in partnership with Tennessee in responding to this crisis. Through Tennessee’s partnership with the Corps of Engineers, the state is assessing sites across Tennessee to build capacity and create Alternate Healthcare Facilities.
- The Music City Center in downtown Nashville will be transformed into a COVID Positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare Facility. It will serve COVID patients who need hospital care but do not require critical care. The current plan for the Music City Center is to provide more than 1600 Patient Care Spaces.
- In Memphis, the Corps will be constructing a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facility at Gateway Shopping Center. Additional sites in Memphis are being actively assessed to ensure capacity in this hotspot is built up quickly and efficiently.
- The Chattanooga Convention Center and the Knoxville Expo Center will also serve as a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facilities.
While facilities are a key part of planning for a surge in COVID-19 patients, staffing is also an essential need. All displaced or furloughed health care personnel are urged to register on the Tennessee Department of Health website here.
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2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) now says there are 2,845 COVID-19 cases in the state, and 32 people have died.
TDH says 263 people are hospitalized. 220 people have recovered.
34,611 people have been tested, with 31,766 negative for COVID-19.
From the Tennessee Governor's Office: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will sign Executive Order 23 requiring that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.
“Over the last few weeks, we have seen decreases in movement around the state as Tennesseans socially distance and stay at home,” said Gov. Lee. “However, in recent days we have seen data indicating that movement may be increasing and we must get these numbers trending back down. I have updated my previous executive order to clearly require that Tennesseans stay at home unless they are carrying out essential activities.”
Data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation analyzed traffic patterns for March 2020. While safer at home measures and further restrictions on businesses showed a steep drop-off in vehicle movement from March 13-29, data beginning on March 30 indicates travel is trending upwards, again.
The Administration also analyzed data from Unacast to understand cell phone mobility and determine movement trends among people. Unacast indicates the movement of Tennesseans is trending toward pre-COVID-19 levels.
“The month of April stands to be an extremely tough time for our state as we face the potential for a surge in COVID-19 cases,” said Lee. “Every Tennessean must take this seriously, remain at home and ensure we save lives.”
The executive order remains in effect until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Gov. Lee will address these measures in the press briefing today at 3 p.m. CDT.
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Shelby County now reports 7 deaths from COVID-19
2:00 p.m. - The Shelby County Health Department now reports 7 people have died from COVID-19 in the county. There are currently 638 cases in the county.
The health department says a surge is expected in Shelby County between late April and early May.
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City of Memphis leaders give update on COVID-19 response
12:00 p.m. - City of Memphis leaders are holding a news conference on the COVID-19 response in the city. The Mayor's Office says it will be streamed on the City of Memphis Facebook page HERE.
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Mississippi reports 104 new cases in state, with four deaths.
10:15 a.m. - This morning MSDH is reporting 104 new cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi, with four new deaths. The total of coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 1,177, with 26 deaths.
Desoto County has had a total of 103 cases to date, with one death.
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Shelby County has 141 new cases of COVID-19
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department released more numbers on COVID-19 cases. They say 7,007 people have been tested in total in the county, with 638 positive cases.
From SCHD: The Health Department’s investigation of an outbreak at Carriage Court of Memphis assisted living facility continues.
- The Health Department has tested 22 persons at the facility, including residents and staff.
- Of that number, 20 results have been returned, and 2 are still pending.
- Of the 20 results, 4 were positive and 16 were negative.
- Prior to the Health Department’s involvement, 2 residents were tested by other health providers and found to be positive for COVID-19.
- To date, there are a total of 6 positive cases at the facility, including 5 residents and 1 employee.
Carriage Court of Memphis is taking appropriate actions to contain the virus. The employee who tested positive is recovering at home in isolation.
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As of 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, there were 2,683 positive cases in Tennessee, with 24 deaths. 200 hospitalizations in Tennessee. There have been 137 recoveries in the state.
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Arkansas now has 624 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state
Key facts to know:
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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.