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
Shelby County Grand Juries could resume next week
(SHELBY COUNTY D.A. NEWS RELEASE) - While criminal cases involving out-of-custody defendants will not be heard before June 1, Shelby County grand juries could begin meeting again as early as next week, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has sharply limited courtroom activity across the state for the past two months, citing health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-1) pandemic.
In-custody cases have been given top priority in General Sessions and Criminal Courts, while cases with out-of-custody defendants are being reset. There also have been no jury trials under the restrictions that will remain in place for at least another two weeks.
The three Shelby County grand juries have been idle as well, missing 25 sessions since March. The grand juries normally meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and DA Weirich said plans are in place for that schedule to resume next week.
She said citizens will be seated for each grand jury on Monday May 18, and cases will be heard starting the next day with social distancing and other health precautions in place. Prospective jurors are encouraged to bring face masks as well.
Witnesses will appear electronically rather than in-person. DA Weirich said cases presented to the grand jury will be the most serious felonies and will involve defendants who have been in jail the longest.
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Tennessee's private prisons lag in coronavirus reporting
(TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press) - Tennessee's privately run prisons are lagging behind the state-run prisons in reporting coronavirus infections among inmates.
Two weeks ago, CoreCivic-run Trousdale Turner Correctional Center reported nearly 1,300 inmates had tested positive for the coronavirus there. That prompted Gov. Bill Lee to announce that all Tennessee inmates would be tested.
The Tennessee Department of Correction has been posting those results on its website, and they were updated on Tuesday. But two of the state's other three privately run prisons are still reporting results for only a handful of inmates.
In all, TDOC reports that 2,500 inmates at all 14 prisons are either positive for the coronavirus or have recovered.
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WATCH: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves gives update on COVID-19 in the state
2:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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Tennessee reports 260 new cases & 9 new deaths (16,370 cases/273 deaths total)
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 260 new cases and 9 new deaths in the state. 8,624 have recovered.
There have now been a total of 16,370 cases and 273 deaths. 1,388 are hospitalizations. 292,917 have been tested in the state.
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Wynne School District cancels meal distribution after employee tests positive for COVID-19
From Wynne Public Schools Facebook: "Effective Thursday May 14th the Wynne School District will cancel meal distribution for the remainder of the school year. On May 13th a food service employee reported that they had tested positive for COVID 19. We regret that we will not be able to continue to deliver meals, but the safety of our employees, volunteers, and students is our priority."
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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 Wednesday, May 13, Arkansas officials announced 72 new COVID-19 cases, bring the total to 4,236 positive cases in the state.
On Tuesday, Gov. Hutchinson said Arkansas has received the COVID-19 drug Remdesivir, which has enough for 50 patients.
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:
- 4,236 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 862 active positive cases
- 73,215 total tests
- 69,051 negative test results
- 97 reported deaths
- 3,277 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 Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Director, Shelby County Health Department.
Editor's Note: The video, which usually streams through Facebook from the City of Memphis at noon, was made available about 2pm and is posted above.
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Mississippi reports 182 new cases & 8 new deaths; Desoto County reports 4 new cases
11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 182 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 8 new deaths. The total of coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 10,090, with 465 deaths.
Desoto County reports 4 new cases, for a total of 350 cases and 5 deaths.
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Shelby County reports 41 new cases & 4 new deaths (3,462 cases/76 deaths total); more than 2,000 recovered
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 41 new COVID-19 cases and 4 new deaths in the county. 2,025 total have recovered.
There have been a total of 3,462 cases and 76 deaths in Shelby County.
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Shelby County Government & Kroger are partnering to provide food and essential items to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic
Last month, the Division of Community Services received approval for funding by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners to establish the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Program to provide social services for residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure they can meet the needs of the community, the Division of Community Services has partnered with local Kroger stores to expand their capacity with food and essential distribution.
The Division of Community Services and Kroger staff (volunteers) are scheduled to distribute approximately 300 food and essential boxes to residents who have applied, been approved and notified for pickup for the COVID-19 emergency assistance program. The distribution will take place at 11:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the Agricenter International (7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120). Boxes are valued at $200 each and contain items such as meats products, milk, vegetables, fruit, toiletries, household essentials, etc. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris will join staff and volunteers during this food distribution event.
This event will comply with the local health department’s social distancing guidelines. To ensure the safety of staff and patrons, distribution will be a “drive-thru” service. Drivers are asked to enter from Germantown Parkway and exit using the Walnut Grove entrance. Press are encouraged to attend.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for May 13, 2020
- DeSoto Cty, MS- 4560 Venture at the Landers Center in Southaven 38671, 2 p.m. Pre-register by calling 662-342-3180 or bring driver's license - DeSoto County residents only.
- Memphis, MAM-Leawood 3638 Macon 38122, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Idlewild Pres. 1750 Union 38104, 9 a.m.
- Memphis, Eastside Community Church 1503 Colonial 38117, 10 a.m.
- Marshall Cty, MS- Mt. Pisgah CME 3877 Cayce in Byhalia 38611, 10 a.m.
- Shelby Cty, TN- Gray's Creek Church, 3141 Inglewood Place in Arlington 38002, 4 p.m.
RELATED: Mid-South coronavirus live updates: Arkansas releases 300 inmates early as virus precaution
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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.