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 Coronavirus numbers for June 18th in Shelby County
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Shelby County Clerk's Offices closed due to COVID-19 exposure
6:15 p.m. - The Shelby County Clerk's Office says all its offices are closed after a COVID-19 exposure Thursday. They would not say if it was an employee or customer, but all offices are affected and will be closed to the public for the time being.
In an email sent out, the Clerk's Office said, "While we immediately closed the office, we are still accepting Dealer Packets at both our Washington and Mullins Station (drop box) offices.
We’re working with the Shelby County Health Department to immediately address the matter and will let you know ASAP when the offices will be re-opened.
We apologize for any inconvenience during this process but it is clear, we absolutely need to prepare for future COVID challenges."
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WATCH: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee gives update on COVID-19 in the state
3:00 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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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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686 new cases & 12 new deaths in TN; nearly 22,000 recoveries
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 686 new COVID-19 cases and 12 new deaths, for a total of 32,829 cases and 509 deaths in the state.
There are 2,209 hospitalizations, and 21,949 recoveries. 652,160 have been tested in the state.
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Tennessee unemployment decreases in May after reaching all-time high
1:50 p.m. - Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for May 2020 dropped by 4.2 percentage points from the record high set in April, according to data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
In May, the seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased to 11.3%.
Additional data changed Tennessee’s preliminary rate for April from 14.7% to 15.5%, which is now the state’s highest unemployment rate on record.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Tennessee’s economy, the state’s previous record-setting unemployment rate was 12.9% in January 1983.
Tennessee employers added 93,900 non-farm jobs between April and May. Leisure/hospitality, manufacturing, and other services sectors had the biggest month-to-month increases.
While the state gained new jobs in May, there was a significant drop in the year-to-year comparison of job numbers. Tennessee lost 265,800 jobs between May 2019 and May 2020. The impact of the COVID-19 closures impacted the leisure/hospitality sector the most, followed by the manufacturing and professional/business services sectors.
Since March, Tennessee has experienced a historic surge in unemployment due to businesses closing to help slow the spread of COVID-19. For the week ending June 13, the state paid just over 300,000 people unemployment benefits, totaling more than $291 million for the week.
Across the country, unemployment did not decline as much as it did in Tennessee. The national preliminary unemployment rate for the United States decreased in May to 13.3%, down 1.4 percentage points from April’s rate.
You can find a complete analysis of Tennessee’s May unemployment data here.
Currently, there are more than 166,000 job openings posted on the state’s workforce development website.
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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state
(KTHV) - According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there are 415 new COVID-19 cases in the state within the last 24 hours, totaling 13,606 total positive coronavirus cases in Arkansas.
Monday, June 15 marks the beginning of Phase II in Arkansas. Restaurants and businesses will be allowed to fill up to two-thirds of their capacity, moving from the one-third capacity that was allowed during Phase 1.
Gov. Hutchinson announced the state of Arkansas will be able to "re engage" visitation for long-term care facilities starting July 1.
Key facts to know:
- 13,606 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 4,413 active cases
- 197 reported deaths
- 217 hospitalizations
- 53 on ventilators
- 8,996 recoveries
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City of Bartlett extends civil emergency executive order
12:40 p.m. - Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald announced that he is extending the civil emergency executive order to June 25, or until rescinded.
The June 15 Health Directive N. 6, issued by the Shelby County Health Department, will continue to be in effect in the City of Bartlett until June 29, unless modified or extended by the Health Department before then.
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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force Tuesday briefing
12:00 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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Methodist North Hospital to host blood drive Friday; critical need for blood in the Mid-South
Methodist North Hospital will host a blood drive open to the public.
Declines in blood donation are occurring both locally and nationally, as a result of the pandemic. Currently, there is a critical need for blood in our community. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare invites members of the community to donate blood at Methodist North Hospital on June 19. Appointments not required, but encouraged to help observe social distancing and other safety precautions.
For more information on donating blood and to schedule an appointment, click here, then click on Donate and enter sponsor code: MH-N
WHEN: Friday, June 19, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Methodist North Hospital, 3960 New Covington Pike
Blood Mobile will be parked in front of the hospital
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76 new cases & 5 new deaths in Shelby County (7,320 cases/151 deaths total); 5,119 recoveries
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 76 new COVID-19 cases with 5 new deaths, for a total of 7,320 cases and 151 deaths in the county.
There have been 5,119 recoveries. 102,685 have been tested in the county.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantries for Thursday, June 18
- Memphis, Shady Grove MBC, 1821 Kansas St. 38109, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, Hillcrest High, 4184 Graceland 38116, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Igesia Nueva Vida, 1348 National, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Colonial Park UMC, 5330 Park 38119, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Catholic Charities, 706 S. Highland, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Memphis, New Direction, 6120 Winchester 38115, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Hill Chapel MBC, 4523 Raleigh LaGrange 38128, 10 a.m.
- Cordova, Burt Ferguson Comm Ctr, 8505 Trinity Rd. 38018, 10 a.m.
- Haywood Cty, TN- First Baptist, 311 E. Jefferson 38012 in Brownsville, 10 a.m. - Noon
- Obion Cty, TN- Second Baptist, 831 Everett 38261 in Union City, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- DeSoto Cty, MS- Longview Heights, 4501 Goodman Rd., Olive Branch 38054, 10 a.m.
- Quitman Cty, MS- "Kid Friendly" 810 Main St. in Sledge 38670, 38670 10 a.m.
Bring driver’s license OR a current utility or other bill that verifies name and address in the county where the distribution takes place. You will be asked to fill out a short eligibility form. Only two households per vehicle please. If you are picking up for someone else, you must have their ID and they count as one household. Take note of Mobile Pantries that require pre-registration.
Food is placed in the back seat, trunk or truck bed by volunteers, so be sure you have space.
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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.