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
Fire Museum of Memphis to reopen June 1st
(NEWS RELEASE) - The Fire Museum of Memphis is pleased to announce the museum will reopen on Monday, June 1 at 9 a.m.
The Fire Museum of Memphis is a non-profit organization that exists to promote education of fire and life safety, to reduce injury, life-loss, and property-loss related to fire and to recognize and preserve the heritage of the fire service and its contribution to the community.
The museum will be returning to its normal operating hours of 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday.
After closing in March due to COVID-19, the museum is opening back with some restrictions. “It takes approximately two hours to tour the museum,” said Kimberly Crafton, executive director. “We are limiting our capacity to 50% or no more than 80 visitors in the museum’s two buildings at one time during a two-hour period. We are very excited about reopening.”
Visitors to the museum are urged to go online and purchase tickets for the admission date and time they plan to be there. This ensures that they will be able to get right in. If the museum is full, visitors will have to wait for others to exit. Tickets can be purchased on our website: www.firemuseum.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door, unless the museum is full.
Visitors will have their temperature checked when they arrive. They will also be asked to wear masks while visiting the museum, except for very young children under the age of 5. New hand sanitization stations have been installed throughout the museum for guest’s safety. The museum’s gift shop will be open, however there will be only one family allowed in the shop at one time.
Museum and Fire Safety personnel will be stationed throughout the museum to ensure visitors are social distancing while viewing exhibits. Exhibits and restrooms will be sanitized after visitors use them. “We are taking every precaution to make sure our visitors are safe and have an enjoyable experience while they are at the museum,” states Crafton. “We just ask that they are vigilant with their social distancing and patient with the new procedures.”
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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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154 new cases & 4 new deaths in TN (18,532 cases/309 deaths total); more than 11,700 recovered
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 154 new cases and 4 new deaths in the state, for a total of 18,532 cases and 309 deaths.
There are 1,515 hospitalizations, and 11,783 have recovered. 354,013 have been tested.
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WATCH: Arkansas Department of Health gives update on COVID-19 in the state
1:30 p.m. - Dr. Nate Smith, Secretary of Health, Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, State Epidemiologist, and Dr. Naveen Patil, Medical Director for Infectious Disease are providing an update on COVID-19 in Arkansas.
(KTHV) - As of Wednesday, May 20 Arkansas officials reported 80 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 5,003 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:
- 5,003 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 1,044 active cases
- 107 reported deaths
- 3,852 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 Mayor Jim Strickland and Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Director, Shelby County Health Department.
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Germantown Fire to distribute free face 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 residents and members of the business community. The Germantown Fire Department will be distributing masks to the business community on Thursday, May 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Pickering Center, 7771 Poplar Pike. The community distribution will also take place on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m at the Pickering Center.
Masks will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out. The masks are available to Germantown residents and Germantown-based businesses 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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263 news cases & 16 new deaths in MS (11,967 cases/570 deaths total); Desoto County has 14 new cases & no new deaths
11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 263 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 16 new deaths. The total of coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 11,967, with 570 deaths.
Desoto County reports 14 new cases and no new deaths.
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128 new cases & no new deaths in Shelby County (4,005 cases/88 deaths total); more than 2,600 recovered
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 128 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths, for a total of 4,005 cases and 88 deaths in the county.
2,642 have recovered, and 56,543 have been tested in the county.
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Three popular Memphis restaurants reopen Wednesday
- The Cupboard in Midtown on Union reopened this morning at 7 a.m.
- Huey's Midtown will reopen at 11 a.m. today; the Southaven location will open Thursday.
- East Memphis' Folks Folly Prim Steak House opens at 5:30 p.m.
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The Grove at GPAC opens to visitors with new venue & technology to make social distancing possible
(6:15 a.m.) - Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) announces the opening of The Grove, its dynamic new outdoor venue. The Grove is designed to be an outdoor reflection of GPAC’s indoor space, aiming at the same level of experience, quality, diversity of talent and educational experiences, presented in a lush, shady setting called the TruGreen Lawn.
There is a covered 40′ by 70′ stage that now features a giant 18′ by 31.2′, extremely high-definition video screen. The screen is mounted on a trolley, allowing for it to be moved upstage and “become” the performance or downstage to assist or enhance a performance. Quite significantly, the video screen’s technology allows for GPAC to simulcast performances or rehearsals taking place indoors in the Duncan-Williams Performance Hall onto the giant screen.
All types of performances are possible in The Grove—theater, dance, orchestras and every genre of music—and there will be both ticketed and non-ticketed events. There is a paved entrance plaza to welcome guests, called the First Horizon Foundation Plaza, featuring a large covered bar, seating areas, performance areas for small combos, the Donor Wall, art areas and more. There is also parking and electricity for four food trucks and a VIP pavilion. The venue was designed by award-winning architectural firm archimania and constructed by Grinder, Taber & Grinder.
GPAC will begin welcoming visitors to The Grove this week. During this time of social distancing, GPAC will be offering tours to small groups including the GPAC Board of Directors, contributors to The Grove capital campaign, members of GPAC’s donor societies and subscribers. As the atmosphere for gathering improves, GPAC looks forward to inviting members of the community to tour the new venue.
The Grove is located adjacent to GPAC at 1801 Exeter Road in Germantown, where its park-like atmosphere will eventually accommodate approximately 1200 guests. To learn more about GPAC and the Grove, click here.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for Wednesday, May 20, 2020
- Memphis, Pleasant Chapel Church 4813 Benjestown 38127, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, Westwood Youth Development, 620 Parkrose, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Divine Life, 5270 Riverdale 38141, 10 a.m.
- Monroe Cty, MS- St. Paul Church, 501 108th St. in Amory 38821, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, Idlewild Pres. Church, 1750 Union 38104, 9 a.m.
- Memphis, Eastside Community Church, 1503 Colonial 38117, 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.