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
A look at COVID-19 numbers in Memphis and Shelby County for June 30th
Mayor Jim Strickland extends State of Emergency for Memphis
3:45 p.m. - Mayor Jim Strickland has extended the State of Emergency for the city of Memphis.
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1,212 new cases & 12 new deaths in Tennessee; nearly 27,600 recoveries
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 1,212 new COVID-19 cases and 12 new deaths, for a total of 43,509 cases and 604 deaths in the state.
There are 2,665 hospitalizations, and 27,599 recoveries. 792,779 have been tested.
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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force briefing
12:00 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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680 new cases & 14 new deaths in Mississippi; Desoto County reports 18 new cases
11:50 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 680 new COVID-19 cases and 14 new deaths, for a total of 27,247 cases and 1,073 deaths in the state.
Desoto County reports 18 new cases and no new deaths, for a total of 1,311 cases and 15 deaths in the county.
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594 new cases & 4 new deaths in Shelby County; More than 6,500 recoveries
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 594 new COVID-19 cases and four new deaths since Saturday, for a total of 9,904 cases and 185 deaths total.
126,623 have been tested in the county. 6,557 have recovered.
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Shelby County Mayor expands COVID-19 protections for inmates
9:30 a.m. - Today, Mayor Lee Harris signed an Executive Order to expand protections for inmates in the Shelby County Division of Corrections. The Order requires the Division of Corrections to:
- Cease in-person visitation, and provide remote or video visitation as an alternative in order to maintain contact with family and community; and
- Cease admission of new prisoners from any out-of-county prison or detention facility, unless required by law; and
- Screen all employees, vendors, or other visitors, and refuse entry to employees, vendors, and visitors who present an unreasonably high temperature or other symptom of COVID-19; and
- Provide testing to individuals who exhibit symptoms, and testing opportunities for all; and
- Distribute masks and facial coverings to prisoners and staff every week, and institute policy to grant requests for a replacement if the mask becomes wet or soiled, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay; and
- Distribute handwashing and cleaning supplies to maintain personal hygiene, and for the regular cleaning of common areas and surfaces; and
- Provide remote or video access for educational, religious, personal growth, re-entry, or other mentoring programming, such as the program conducted by Hope Church; and
- Make prompt, regular disclosure to the Shelby County Health Department and the public regarding COVID-19 testing and testing results.
Ernie Hilliard, Co-Chair of MICAH’s Re-entry Subcommittee: "My fellow MICAH leaders and I are pleased to see Mayor Harris’ administration take action to further protect inmates in the Division of Corrections. Our faith calls us to uplift the marginalized and the vulnerable. Our incarcerated brothers and sisters are extremely vulnerable during this pandemic. We believe we must restore and safeguard the humanity that is often stripped from them. The protections outlined in this executive order bring us closer to recognizing the humanity of those that are incarcerated."
Mayor Lee Harris: “Around the country, some of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks have been in jails and prisons. Here in Shelby County, we will take an aggressive approach to protecting the inmates in our care. Among other measures, this Executive Order will ensure that we have clear procedures for regularly distributing masks and personal hygiene supplies to inmates, protocols to help reduce the risk of spread in this unique environment, and a policy for screening everyone who enters our Corrections facilities. These individuals, who may have been previously on the wrong side of the law, still deserve our humanity and compassion. Although they were sentenced to a prison term, they were not sentenced to COVID-19.”
Read the Executive Order here.
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NO mobile food pantries on Tuesday, June 30 & Wednesday, July 1
There are NO Mobile Pantry distributions scheduled for today, Tuesday, June 30th or tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1st.
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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.