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
WATCH: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves gives update on COVID-19 in the state
2:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(MS GOV'S OFFICE NEW RELEASE) - Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced efforts to extend the unemployment benefits provided to help Mississippi workers and their families hard-hit by COVID-19.
Working to support Mississippi's dedicated workforce, Governor Reeves signed a new executive order updating instructions to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) to further relieve undue burdens caused by the pandemic. This new executive order replaces the Governor's initial unemployment order, Executive Order No. 1462, which began the process of expediting payments to unemployed Mississippians.
"There is no real government replacement for a job. I know most Mississippians are ready and eager to work. Please do not let the window pass you by. If you are lucky enough to get an offer to earn a living, please do not reject it. I do not want you to wake up in August with no job to return to," said Governor Tate Reeves.
Governor Reeves announced his new executive order at his daily press briefing today, which you can view on our Facebook page here.
In this latest executive order, Governor Reeves is waiving the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits for all claims filed from March 8, 2020 to December 26, 2020. Under the initial Executive Order No. 1462, the waiting period was waived until June 27.
Further extending financial support of Mississippians out of work due to COVID-19, the Governor is increasing the $40 earning allowance to $200 from May 3, 2020 until June 27, 2020.
Supporting employers struggling under the weight of COVID-19, Governor Reeves has also waived any interest from April 1, 2020 to June 27, 2020 on all collection activities suspended under the Executive Order. The offset of future benefits due to overpayments will be reduced to 25% from March 29, 2020 until June 27, 2020.
Additional updates under Executive Order No. 1481 to support Mississippi's employers and workforce include:
For employers:
- Any charges related to COVID-19 and associated charges to both rated and reimbursable employers' accounts are waived from March 8, 2020 to June 27, 2020. Interest will not be accrued during this period.
- The First Quarter 2020 pay date imposed for contributions of both rated and reimbursable employers has been suspended and moved to July 31, 2020.
- Penalties for late reporting and contribution payments from March 8, 2020 to July 31, 2020 are suspended.
For workers:
- Those unable to search for work because of COVID-19, including because they have contracted the virus, have been under quarantine, or have had their movements restricted, will be interpreted as such for claims filed between March 8, 2020 to June 27, 2020.
- Work registration requirements from March 8, 2020 to June 27, 2020 are suspended, and individuals are not required to report in-person to help limit transmission.
You can view the text version of the Executive Order No. 1481 here.
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Tennessee reports 559 new cases & 8 new deaths (15,544 cases/251 deaths total); more than 8,000 recoveries
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 559 new COVID-19 cases and 8 new deaths in the state. There has been a total of 15,544 cases and 251 deaths in the state.
there have been 1,344 hospitalizations, and 8,038 have recovered.
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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(KTHV) - As of Monday, May 11, the Arkansas Department of Health has confirmed a total of 4,043 positive cases.
Gov. Hutchinson is allowing the resumption of in-person dining with proper social distancing guidelines and much lower seating capacity on Monday, May 11.
As the state remains in Phase One, several businesses have been allowed to reopen. Barbershops, salons, and gyms are among those. Public pools, splash pads, water parks, and swim beaches will be allowed to open on May 22.
Key facts to know:
- 4,043 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 69,008 total tests
- 64,996 negative test results
- 94 reported deaths
- 3,149 recoveries
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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force briefing
12:00 p.m. - COVID-19 Joint Task Force update with Mayor Jim Strickland, Gina Sweat, Director Memphis Fire Dept., Mike Rallings, Director, Memphis Police Dept., and Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Director, Shelby County Health Department.
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Mississippi reports 173 new cases/5 new deaths (9,674 cases/435 deaths total); Desoto County reports 5 new cases
11:30 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of health reports 173 new COVID-19 cases and 5 new deaths. There have been a total of 9,674 cases and 435 deaths in the state.
Desoto County reports 5 new cases and no new deaths. The county had had a total of 336 cases and 5 deaths.
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Shelby County reports 85 new cases & no new deaths (3,315 cases/67 deaths total)
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 85 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths. 1,921 patients have now recovered.
There has been a total of 3,315 COVId-19 cases and 67 deaths in the county.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for May 11, 2020
- Marshall Cty, MS- Hearts and Hands Ministries, MS 172 MS-309 in Byhalia 38611, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Kingdom Fellowship Baptist 3777 Edenburg 38127, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, Riverside Baptist 3560 S. Third 38109, 10 a.m.
- Marshall Cty, MS- 295 E. Francisco in Holly Springs 39365, 9 a.m. Pre-register by calling 662-252-1336 or bring driver's license- Marshall County Residents only
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Over 4,000 positive COVID-19 cases in Arkansas
(KTHV) - As of Sunday, May 10, the Arkansas Department of Health confirmed a total of 4,012 positive cases.
On Wednesday, April 29, 2,520 COVID-19 tests were performed in Arkansas, with a 1.5% positivity rate. This is the highest number of tests run in one day in the state since March 11.
As the state remains in Phase One, several businesses have been allowed to reopen. Barbershops, salons, and gyms are among those. On May 8, the governor announced that public pools, splash pads, water parks, and swim beaches would be allowed to open on May 22.
Key facts to know:
- 4,012 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 69,008 total tests
- 64,996 negative test results
- 91 reported deaths
- 3,112 recoveries
Cases in Arkansas' Mid-South counties:
- Crittenden County has 210 cases; 7 deaths
- Cross County has 29 cases
- Lee County has 5 cases; 1 death
- Mississippi County has 52 cases
- Monroe County has 5 cases
- Phillips County has 4 cases; 1 death
- Poinsett County has 25 cases; 2 deaths
- St. Francis County has 278 cases
Watch Gov. Hutchinson's Saturday news conference:
RELATED: Law Enforcement agencies can access names, addresses of TN residents who test positive for COVID-19
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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.
