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
Gov. Bill Lee says state has finalized purchase of 5 million cloth face masks for Tennesseans
(WBIR) - Gov. Bill Lee said the state has purchased five million cloth face masks for all Tennesseans.
The masks will be available for free at health departments, Lee said in a press conference Tuesday. He said all 95 health departments in the state will recieve masks.
According to Dean Flener with TEMA, the state bought masks from Renfro Corp., which is headquartered in Mount Airy, N.C.,and has a distribution operation in Cleveland, Tenn.
Renfro is a global designer and distributor of legwear products.
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WATCH: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee gives update on COVID-19 response in the state
3:00 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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Free testing to be offered to frontline workers in Shelby County
(NEWS RELEASE) - Starting Wednesday, May 6, regardless of symptoms, all frontline workers who are concerned about possible COVID-19 exposure can be tested. After careful review, the Shelby County Health Department, local health providers, and the Joint Task Force have decided to revise testing protocols to include testing individuals, with or without symptoms. Essential employees who feel sick or believe they have had contact with a COVID- 19 positive person, can be tested from the following workforces:
- Healthcare
- First responders, such as paramedics, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers or firefighters
- Fast food, gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, public utilities, and Sanitation
- Correctional facilities, such as jails or prisons
Testing is available at no cost to the patient. All COVID-19 testing locations will have the capacity to provide testing. To find a testing location, visit covid19.memphistn.gov, or contact the following testing locations for availability.
- Case Management - 901 821-5880 or email COVID-19TestCMI@cmiofmemphis.org
- Christ Community Health Services –Text “Test2020” to 91999
- Cherokee Healthcare - krogerhealth.com/covidtesting
- Church Health Center- (901) 272-0003
- Memphis Health Center- (901) 261-2042
- Tri-State Community Health Center- (901) 572-1573
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center- Text “COVID” to 901-203-5526 or www.mycareplan.net/covid-19
- Walgreens – Schedule online walgreens.com/coronavirus
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WATCH: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves gives update on COVID-19 response in the state
2:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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Tennessee reports 122 new cases & 7 new deaths (13,624 cases/226 deaths total)
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 122 new cases and 7 new deaths in the state. There are now a total of 13,624 confirmed cases and 226 deaths in Tennessee.
218,796 have been tested. There have been 1,156 hospitalizations and 6,356 people have recovered.
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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 response in the state
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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New drive-thru testing scheduled for several Mississippi counties (by appointment)
(NEWS RELEASE) - Residents of Desoto, Neshoba, Monroe and Clarke counties and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 this week as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi State Department of Health continue efforts to stem virus transmission by setting up one-day, drive-through collection sites.
These sites join others that are scheduled for this week, previously announced in Adams, Attala, Noxubee and Claiborne counties.
Anyone can be tested who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat; or who has a known or potential exposure to someone confirmed with the virus.
Those who want to be tested must first get an appointment by going through a free screening from a UMMC clinician, either through the C Spire Health telehealth smartphone app or by phone. The fastest and easiest way to get screened and tested is with the C Spire Health app. It’s available daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
The newest testing sites for Wednesday, May 6:
- Desoto County: Landers Center, 4560 Venture Drive, Southaven
- Neshoba County: Neshoba County Coliseum, 1200 Highway 15 North, Philadelphia
The newest testing site for Thursday, May 7:
- Monroe County: Becker Community Center, 52246 Highway 25, Amory
The newest testing site for Friday, May 8:
- Clarke County: Clarke County EMA, 642 S. Archusa Ave., Quitman
Testing sites previously announced for Monday, May 4:
- Adams County: Adams County Safe Room, 323 Liberty Road, Natchez
- Attala County: Attala County Coliseum, 550 Mississippi Highway 12, Kosciusko
Testing sites previously announced for Tuesday, May 5:
- Noxubee County: Noxubee Civic Center, 16291 U.S. 45, Macon
- Claiborne County: Claiborne County Parks and Recreation, 1120 Highway 61 North, Port Gibson
Testing hours are noon-4 p.m. Only those with appointments will be tested.
Hundreds of people in Mississippi communities have taken advantage of the UMMC/MSDH drive-through collection sites. Those numbers include, as of the end of the day May 2, a total 1,275 people at 42 one-day testing states statewide, plus another 3,391 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, for a total of 4,666 tested.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi National Guard are partnering with UMMC and MSDH to coordinate mobile testing sites. UMMC and C Spire have partnered to make the screening free to all Mississippians.
Those without smartphones who want to be screened for testing can call (601) 496-7200.
During drive-through testing, health care professionals will collect specimen samples via a nose swab. Those being tested will not exit their vehicle. For more information about testing, click here.
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WATCH: Memphis and 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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Mississippi reports 330 new cases & 32 new deaths (8,207 cases/342 deaths total); Desoto County reports 10 new cases & no new deaths (308 cases/4 deaths total)
11:45 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting 330 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 32 new deaths. The total of coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 8,207, with 342 deaths.
Desoto County reports a total of 308 cases and 4 deaths in the county.
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Shelby County reports 72 new cases and 4 new deaths (2,922 cases/57 deaths total)
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department is reporting 72 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4 new deaths. There have now been a total of 2,922 cases and 57 deaths in the county.
34,615 people have been tested in Shelby County. 1,558 have recovered.
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Arkansas reports more than 3,400 cases, 81 deaths
(KTHV) - As of Monday, May 4, the Arkansas Department of Health has confirmed a total of 3,469 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.
On Friday, Gov.Hutchinson announced a plan to reopen hair salons and barbershops. We learned on Thursday that gyms will be able to open up starting on Monday, May 4, followed by restaurants the following Monday, May 11.
Key facts to know:
- 3,469 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 54,608 total tests
- 51,139 negative test results
- 81 reported deaths
- 91 currently hospitalized
- 2,041 recoveries
- All Arkansas schools are closed for the remainder of the school year
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Kroger, the University of Memphis and Cherokee Health providing free drive-thru testing beginning today on UofM campus
Kroger Health will hold an additional COVID-19 testing site this week at the University of Memphis. The FREE drive-thru event will be Tuesday, May 5 through Thursday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Testing will be held on the UofM campus at the Central Avenue parking lot next to the Holiday Inn (signage will be displayed).
Test results are expected within approximately 48 hours. Kroger Health is expected to administer 250 tests per day.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile food pantries for Tuesday, May 5
- Memphis, For the Kingdom 4100 Raleigh-Millington Rd. 38128, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, New Friendship MBC 1957 Alcy 38114, 10 a.m.
- Marshall Cty, MS- 5509 Hwy 4 in Holly Springs 38653, 10 a.m.
- Madison Cty, TN- Unity Temple 369 Lexington Ave in Jackson 38301, 10 a.m.
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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.
