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: Shelby County Schools holds briefing on "SCS Re-entry Task Force"
3:00 p.m. - SCS Superintendent Dr. Joris M. Ray will share an overview of key elements the district is developing as part of a longer-term strategy for reopening schools.
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New numbers push Tennessee over 18,000 cases and 300 deaths total
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 623 new COVID-19 cases and 3 new deaths in the state, for a total of 18,011 cases and 300 deaths.
There are 1,489 hospitalizations, and 9,886 have recovered. 337,428 have been tested.
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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives COVID-19 update from Forrest City, where there is an outbreak at the prison
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(KTHV) - As of Monday, May 18 Arkansas officials announced 54 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 4,813 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:
- 4,813 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 85,185 total tests
- 80,426 negative test results
- 100 reported deaths
- 3,645 recoveries
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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 update as county enters Phase 2 of reopening
12:30 p.m. - COVID-19 Joint Task Force update with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Director, Shelby County Health Department.
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City of Olive Branch Parks begin reopening
(CITY OF OLIVE BRANCH TWITTER) - Beginning immediately, our City Parks will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Olive Bark Park is reopening today as well. Sunshine is scheduled for the entire week and we encourage you to enjoy it with your family, responsibly. Please continue to practice social distancing.
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WATCH: TN Gov. Bill Lee holds news conference at alternative care facility in Memphis
(TN GOV'S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE) - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and a delegation of Shelby County leaders and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers service members will mark the completion of a significant project in Tennessee’s COVID-19 efforts with a joint review of the equipping and readying of the Mid-South region’s COVID-19 alternate care site at 495 Union Ave., in Memphis, Tenn.
“Our work in Shelby County represents an effective local, state, and federal partnership effort to put in place a critical need in our COVID-19 efforts,” Gov. Lee said. “These relationships are vital as we balance and evaluate the state’s short- and long-term COVID-19 response, and tailor health care planning efforts to local needs.”
The Memphis alternate care site provides an additional 401, individual bed spaces to treat COVID-19 patients if area hospitals begin to exceed their bed capacity, and is set up with only base supplies currently, such as beds, chairs, tables, and IV poles,
Medical equipment and supplies will be put in place if the site is activated to receive and treat patients who test positive for COVID-19 and experience symptoms requiring low-acuity hospital care.
“The facility has the advantage of being located in close proximity to numerous Memphis hospitals and came with infrastructure in place that facilitated rapid and safe conversion as an alternate care site,” said Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP, Tennessee Department of Health. “Our hope is we never need it; however the facility is ready and will remain on standby until TDH and Shelby County officials determine the capacity is needed to treat COVID-19 patients.”
Under a Mission Assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, USACE coordinated and managed the construction contractors during the facility’s renovation phase, and the Governor’s Unified Command Group has secured the wrap-around services for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the facility.
These wrap-around services, which will only be put in place if the site is activated, include biomedical, food, ice and water, internal and external security, internet access, janitorial, linen, medical oxygen, office supplies, pest control, pharmacy, and radiological and X-rays.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis will provide medical direction for the care of patients if the facility is occupied.
Quick Facts about the Memphis Alternate Care Site
- The Memphis care site is located at 495 Union Ave. and occupies four floors of a five-story, 125,000 square-foot building that is the former home for The Commercial Appeal.
- The facility can accommodate 401 patients, with 33 beds set aside for higher-acuity care, and is equipped with 22 nursing stations, and 30 storage rooms.
- As of May 16, USACE members and 16 USACE-contracted Memphis companies had devoted more than 193,000 hours of work into renovating the facility, for an average of 275 people on-site, around-the-clock, for one month.
- nexAir, an industrial gas equipment supplier, installed the facility’s oxygen supply system and tanks, with a main tank that will hold 6,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and a 3,000-gallon back-up tank.
- Fifty-six service members of the Tennessee National Guard transported all of the basic supplies currently at the facility.
The award of a Major Disaster Declaration to Tennessee on April 2, 2020, made funding assistance available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the State for costs associated with implementing COVID-19 emergency protective measures, such as establishing alternate care sites to increase hospital bed capacity.
Gov. Lee established the UCG on March 23, 2020, to streamline the COVIG-19 emergency response coordination between the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Department of Health, and the Tennessee Department of Military.
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136 new cases & 7 new deaths in MS (11,432 cases/528 deaths total); 5 new cases in Desoto County
11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 136 new COVID-19 cases and 7 new deaths in the state. The total of coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 11,432, with 528 deaths.
Desoto County reports 5 new cases and no new deaths. The totals there now stand at 391 cases and 5 deaths. There are a total of 12 outbreaks at long term care facilities in the county.
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Shelby County officially enters Phase 2 of Back to Business plan today
(SHELBY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE) - Based on the four criteria the COVID-19 Joint Task Force has been monitoring, including the growth in new cases, health care systems capacity, public health system capacity, and testing capacity, the Task Force has made the decision to begin Phase II of the Back to Business plan today.
“I am grateful for the hard work and many sacrifices of the residents of Shelby County. We have seen encouraging results because of a collective willingness to do all that we can to reduce the spread and embrace new skills, like social distancing. Although we still have a long way to go in Shelby County's fight against COVID-19, we have made substantial progress and are therefore prepared to enter Phase 2. We all played a role in getting to this important mile marker. We all have a role to play to get to the next one.” –Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris
“Over the last 14 days, we’ve been closely monitoring the data. Based on the opinion of our medical experts, we are ready to move to Phase ll of our Back-to Business plan allowing more Memphians back to work in a safer way.”—Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland
“With the necessary precautions we have made the improvements needed to move to Phase 2. I am happy more people can get back to work.”—City of Bartlett Mayor A. Keith McDonald
“Thanks to citizens diligence in social distancing, staying at home, wearing mask and the other things you have done to protect yourselves and others, we are able to move to phase 2. Keep up the good work!!”—Town of Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner
“In Germantown we are committed to continue the prescriptive balance of commerce, public health safety and quality of life within our community. Entering Phase Two, following the directive and guidelines of the Shelby Health Department will allow us to strike a solid balance by continuing reopening and recovery in Germantown.”—Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo
“The municipal mayors of Shelby County, along with Mayor Harris have been in constant communication with the Health Department to proceed with Back to Business. Millington is looking forward to moving into Phase 2 with caution. We are all concerned with the health and welfare of our communities. Many small businesses are eager to get back to work with the health directives that have been set. We need all of citizens to please do their part in helping to defeat the spread of this Covid-19 virus.” –Millington Mayor Terry Jones
“As the Mayor of Lakeland, I am honored to stand with all Shelby County Mayors and announce the opening of Phase 2 of our Back to Business Plan effective today. I would like to thank all of our Phase 2 businesses for their patience during this time.” –Lakeland Mayor Mike Cunningham
“The data is very encouraging to see the path we are on, and I’m hopeful as we enter phase 2 we continue this trend that allows businesses and citizens to get closer to normalcy.” –Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman
The Shelby County Health Department will soon issue a new Health Directive #4 with new orders and recommendations for individuals and businesses as we move into Phase II. Once issued, that Health Directive will be posted on the Shelby County Health Department website here: www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.
For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns about businesses, the public may contact:
The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300
The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658
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42 new cases & 1 new death in Shelby County (3,761 cases/85 deaths total); more than 2,400 recovered
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Department of Health reports 42 new COVID-19 cases and one new deaths in the county. 2,453 have recovered.
There have been a total of 3,761 cases and 85 deaths in the county.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for May 18, 2020
- Memphis, Riverside Baptist Church 3560 Third St. 38109, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Lowrance Park "Kid Friendly", 7740 Lowrance 38125, 10 a.m.
- Shelby Cty, TN- Reach Uplift Ministry 4284 Shelby in Millington 38053, 10 a.m.
- Tate Cty, MS- Second Baptist Church 716 Forest Circle in Coldwater 38618, 10 a.m.
- Coahoma Cty, MS- Care Station 1150 Wildcat in Clarksdale 38614, 10 a.m.
- Union Cty, MS- Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia 1022 CR 324 in New Albany 38652, 10 a.m.
- Hardeman Cty, TN- Zion Temple 760 McTizic in Bolivar 38008, 10 a.m.
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Arkansas sees 181 new positive cases of COVID-19 Sunday
(KTHV) - As of Sunday, May 17 Arkansas officials announced 181 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 4,759 positive cases in the state.
On Wednesday, Gov. Hutchinson announced Arkansas is not ready to enter Phase 2 of reopening the state at this point.
Key facts to know:
- 4,759 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 85,185 total tests
- 80,426 negative test results
- 98 reported deaths
- 3,590 recoveries
Watch Governor Hutchinson's Saturday briefing here:
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RELATED: Decision expected Monday on whether Shelby County will move into phase two of Back to Business plan
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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.