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
Judge rejects Arkansas inmates' bid for more virus steps
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected an effort to require Arkansas to release inmates at high risk of contracting the coronavirus.
U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker on Tuesday denied the inmates' motion, which also sought other steps by the state to address the virus.
The inmates' lawsuit claims the state has not done enough to prevent the virus's spread in its prisons.
It was filed in response to an outbreak at the Cummins Unit, where health officials say 951 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus and eight have died from the illness caused by the virus.
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WATCH: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves gives update on COVID-19 in the state / guidelines for worship services
2:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(MS GOV'S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE) - Today, Governor Tate Reeves released social distancing and sanitation guidelines for in-person worship services to safely resume across Mississippi.
Consulting with Dr. Thomas Dobbs and our state health officials, Governor Reeves developed guidelines for worship leaders and their congregations to join together to practice their faiths while continuing to help protect public health and flatten the curve.
"I’ll just say this as a personal point. My family is likely going to continue worshiping from home for a while. The church is not a building. We can honor our Lord and keep our neighbors safe. You don’t need to rush back. We do want to provide a playbook for how to do it safely, when pastors determine the time is right," said Governor Tate Reeves.
The guidelines include steps to prepare houses of worship, plan for logistics and worship programming, and direct staff and worship leadership on social distancing protocols. You can view the full guidelines for in-person worship services here.
Governor Reeves made the announcement at today's press briefing, which you can view on our Facebook page here.
Churches and places of worship were deemed an essential business or operation and were never instructed to close, though they were encouraged to offer services online and remotely to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
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367 new cases & 4 new deaths in TN (18,378 cases/305 deaths total); nearly 11,000 have recovered
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 367 new COVID-19 cases and 4 new deaths, for a total of 18,378 cases and 305 deaths in the state.
There are 1,498 hospitalizations, and 10,969 have recovered. 346,123 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) - As of Tuesday, May 19 Arkansas officials announced 110 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 4,923 positive cases in the state.
Governor Hutchinson announced on Saturday an investigation is being conducted after an applicant illegally accessed the unemployment system. He was notified Friday night and the system was shut down immediately in order to prevent a data breach.
As of Monday, May 18 all retail stores in Arkansas are open for business, except bars.
Key facts to know:
- 4,923 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 87,614 total tests
- 82,801 negative test results
- 102 reported deaths
- 3,645 recoveries
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The Village at Germantown say tests show no new COVID-19 cases
12:30 p.m. - (NEWS RELEASE) - The latest COVID-19 tests for nearly 350 employees and healthcare unit residents at The Village at Germantown revealed no evidence of disease, administrators of the nonprofit continuing care retirement community announced today.
As part of their ongoing efforts to prevent transmission of the virus at the community, administrators arranged for comprehensive testing of all employees and all residents of The Village’s assisted living, memory care and long-term care units on May 14-15.
“All test results came back negative for COVID-19,” said Michael K. Craft, chief executive officer of The Village. “We are thankful to report 100 percent negative.”
So far, The Village has conducted 574 tests for COVID-19 with negative results for 553. Twelve employees who tested positive have recovered or are recovering at home. Among nine skilled nursing unit residents who tested positive, five have died and four have recovered.
“We have discussed the details of each case with the Center for Disease Control and the Tennessee and Shelby County Health Departments,” Craft said. “Authorities there have concurred with our handling of the cases and they had no further recommendations for us.”
“We share information regularly with our residents and their families and with the media and the general public,” he said. “We are pleased to share the good news of the latest results.”
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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force briefing
12:00 p.m. - COVID-19 Joint Task Force update with Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Director, Shelby County Health Department.
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272 new cases & 27 news deaths in MS (11,704 cases/554 deaths total); Desoto County has 13 new cases
11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 272 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 27 new deaths. The total of coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 11,704, with 554 deaths.
Desoto County has 13 new cases and no new deaths, and one new outbreak at a long-term care facility.
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Germantown to give out masks to residents Thursday
(NEWS RELEASE) - The City of Germantown has received an additional supply of personal protective masks from the State of Tennessee to distribute to members of our community. The Germantown Fire Department will be distributing masks on Thursday, May 21 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m at the Pickering Center, 7771 Poplar Pike.
Masks will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out. The masks are available to Germantown residents only. Residents will be asked to show a valid driver license. Masks are limited to one per individual and a maximum of seven per family.
Please use Melanie Smith lane to the west and pull through the parking lot while remaining in your vehicle. GFD personnel will approach your vehicle to verify your information and request details. Once you have obtained your masks, please exit out the driveway to the east behind the Tennessee Genealogy Society.
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116 new cases & 3 new deaths in Shelby County (3,877 cases/88 deaths total); more than 2,500 recovered
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 116 new COVID-19 cases and 3 new deaths, for a total of 3,877 cases and 88 deaths in the county.
2,537 have recovered. 54,842 have been tested n the county.
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Yo Gotti & Friends Birthday Bash at FedExForum postponed
9:45 a.m. - (NEWS RELEASE) - The Yo Gotti and Friends Birthday Bash 8 at FedExForum, previously scheduled for June 19, 2020, is postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. All tickets purchased for the concert will be honored on the rescheduled date. Please check fedexforum.com/covid-19-update or FedExForum social media pages for updates on the rescheduled date.
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Shelby County launches application portal to begin hiring for Health Dept. COVID-19 expansion positions
(8:35 a.m.) - This expansion will allow the Shelby County Health Department to hire 141 employees that are singularly devoted to confronting COVID-19.
Today Shelby County’s Human Resources Department launched the application portal for the new positions, which include administrative staff, strike teams, epidemiologists, nurses, case investigators, enforcement and compliance investigators, data entry and training personnel, testing teams, and more.
If you are interested, you can apply by logging on to Shelby County Government Careers website here.
Shelby County Human Resources Administrator Steven Massie: “In preparation for the COVID-19 response ramp up, the human resources department has partnered closely with the health department to; identify recruitment sources, establish interview teams, and develop a project plan to ensure effective and efficient staffing of these critical positions.”
Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Alisa Haushalter: “I would like to thank the Shelby County Board of Commissioners for supporting this expansion. The health department is fully committed to responding to the current public health crisis occurring in our communities; however, we know that our current staffing capacity is limited. The purpose of this expansion is to add needed support, which will allow us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of all in Shelby County.”
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris: “Broadening our public health capacity is an essential part of our strategy to help prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus in Shelby County. This expansion is an enormous task, and that’s why we are grateful to our Commissioners for moving this task forward.”
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Kroger Health & Hilton Memphis partner to offer 2 weeks of free drive-thru COVID-19 testing
Kroger Health and Hilton Memphis will offer free COVID-19 testing beginning Tuesday for the next two weeks in the Hilton Memphis parking lot, 939 Ridgelake Blvd.
Testing will run from Tuesday, May 19 through Thursday, May 21 and Wednesday May 27 through Friday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
People needing a test will use a virtual screening tool based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible. Those eligible for the testing include healthcare workers, symptomatic individuals and asymptomatic individuals based on CDC, state and local government recommendations.
Those eligible will then select the Hilton Memphis testing location and appointment time and receive an email confirmation with pre-appointment paperwork. When the patient arrives for a test, they should have a photo ID ready and leave their windows rolled up for check-in. A health care practitioner will approach the car and alert the patient when to roll down their window.
The drive-thru testing location has a self-administered nasal swab that must be ordered and observed by a provider.
Test results are expected within approximately 48 hours. Kroger Health expects to administer 250 tests per day.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for May 19, 2020
- Memphis, New Mt. Zion "Kid Friendly," 793 Peebles Rd. 38109, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, For the Kingdom 4100 Raleigh Millington Rd. 38128, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, New Friendship MBC 1957 Alcy 38114, 10 a.m.
- Memphis- Association of Holiness Churches 2376 Hernando 38106, 10 a.m.
- DeSoto Cty, MS- Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 545 E. Commerce St. in Hernando 38632, 2-4:30 or first 300 families. Pre-register by calling 662-342-3180. Bring driver’s license; no more than 2 households per vehicle. DeSoto County Residents Only.
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Memphis Botanic Garden Expands Reopening
The Memphis Botanic Garden will reopen to daily admission guests Tuesda, May 19th at 9:00 a.m. For the rest of the month, the Memphis Botanic Garden will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. It will be closed on Memorial Day (Monday, May 25th).
As MBG is now operating with only cashless transactions, advance purchase of entry tickets is strongly recommended. Advance online entry tickets can be purchased here.
On Monday, June 1st, The Garden will resume normal 7-day operations with summertime hours of 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Since reopening to Members on May 7th, certain limitations have been in place and will remain for the foreseeable future:
- Only outdoor spaces are currently reopening
- The Children's Garden will remain closed for now, as will other "high touch" areas like the iconic red bridge and Prehistoric Plant Trail. These features will be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.
- The Garden will control the numbers admitted to the grounds - if needed - to assure that social distancing practices are adhered to.
MBG strongly encourages:
- Groups of 10 or less
- Remaining six feet apart
- Wearing a mask
- Staying home if sick
- There will be one set of bathrooms open on the grounds (behind the stage and adjacent to Sara's Place).
- The Nursery at the Garden (retail plant shop) will remain available for on-line purchases only at this time.
- All special indoor events remain canceled for the month of May
- Fratelli's restaurant is open for call-ahead orders with curbside pickup or on the grounds (picnic) dining.
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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.