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 17th in Shelby County
Juneteenth COVID-19 Testing
(NEWS RELEASE - The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, the state Department of Health and the Office of Minority Health and Disparities Elimination are teaming up to provide COVID-19 testing in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis over the Juneteenth weekend. Juneteenth is celebrated as the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved Blacks in Texas. TBCSL Chairman G.A. Hardaway of Memphis said: “Martin Luther King Jr. once declared that, ‘of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.’ The commemoration of this historic weekend is the perfect time to bring additional testing to the African-American communities in Tennessee. The Black Caucus, the Office of Minority Health Disparities Elimination and the Tennessee Department of Health are proud to join with churches and community health centers across the state to provide this testing.” Testing sites are:
CHATTANOOGA:
- Hawkinsville Baptist Church (Saturday and Sunday)
KNOXVILLE:
- Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church (Monday)
NASHVILLE:
- Nissan Stadium (Friday)
- Meharry Medical College (Friday)
- Murfeesboro Road K-Mart parking lot (Friday)
- Watson Grove Baptist Church (Saturday)
MEMPHIS:
- Divine Faith Church (Saturday)
- First Baptist Church-Broad (Friday and Saturday)
- Mississippi Blvd Christian Church (Friday and Saturday)
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Friday)
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Tennessee reports 313 new cases and 4 new deaths; more than 21,200 recoveries
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 313 new COVID-19 cases and 4 new deaths, for a total of 32,143 cases and 497 deaths.
There are 2,180 hospitalizations, and 21,282 recoveries. 644,344 have been tested in the state.
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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 274 new COVID-19 cases in the state within the last 24 hours, totaling 13,191 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.
On Friday, the governor announced 731 new cases, revealing the largest spike in COVID-19 cases Arkansas has seen since the start of the pandemic.
Key facts to know:
- 13,191 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 4,383 active cases
- 188 reported deaths
- 214 hospitalizations
- 45 on ventilators
- 8,352 recoveries
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489 new cases & 23 new deaths in MS; 50 new cases in DeSoto County; 1 new death
11:25 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 489 new cases and 23 new deaths, for a total of 20,641 cases and 938 deaths in the state.
Desoto County has had a total of 790 cases; 14 deaths.
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Cigna Donates $75,000 to the City of Memphis to fund COVID-19 testing
Cigna is donating $75,000 to the City of Memphis to support COVID-19 testing for the most vulnerable and underserved communities in Memphis, including the underinsured, uninsured and homeless. The Cigna donation will also fund protective masks, gloves and other equipment.
“As we move forward, it’s critical to have appropriate PPE to quickly test and box in the virus,” said Mayor Jim Strickland, City of Memphis. “We’re so grateful to have partners like Cigna to step in and help keep our citizens safe.”
The Cigna donation will be managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis COVID-19 Regional Response Fund and utilized by health care organizations responsible for ensuring access and equity in COVID-19 testing and response.
In Shelby County, nearly 70,000 COVID-19 tests have been performed as of May 29, 2020, with 4,793 testing positive and 3,378 having successfully recovered from the virus.
“Cigna is proud to work with Mayor Strickland and our partners to provide essential testing for the underserved,” said Greg Allen, MidSouth market president for Cigna. “We are committed to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of our customers and the Memphis community during the COVID-19 crisis.”
This announcement follows Cigna's $20,000 donation to the YMCA of Memphis & Mid-South in May 2020 to support emergency food services for Shelby County Schools students.
Cigna has taken steps to help protect customers, communities, health care providers and employees from the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
- Cigna announced its Customer Protection Program which safeguards customers from surprise bills by out-of-network providers for care related to COVID-19 treatment.
- Launching Express Scripts Parachute RxSM to ensure that any American who loses health care coverage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can secure many of their medications at affordable and predictable prices.
- The Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation launched the Brave of Heart Fund to provide grants to survivors of front-line U.S. health care work who give their lives in the fight against COVID-19. Each Foundation has made initial contributions of $25 million to seed the Fund, and together hope to raise more than $100 million to protect these families from financial hardship and provide additional support.
- Waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, telehealth screenings and treatment.*
- Making it easier for customers to be treated virtually by their own physicians.
- Making it easier for hospitals to transfer patients to long-term acute care hospitals and subacute facilities.
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Bite Squad doubles delivery zone in areas of Memphis
Bite Squad, the on-demand food delivery service, announced Wednesday, it has doubled, in some places, the delivery zones for restaurant food in Memphis. It also announced growth in restaurant partnerships. For its customers, this means increased access to their favorite foods from the area’s top restaurants.
In total, Bite Squad now has nearly 400 Memphis area partners from which to choose.
Delivery areas reach as far as nine miles away from certain restaurants, which in some cases is double the prior reach. This gives restaurants more access to potential diners; and offers diners the opportunity to order from a much larger pool of restaurants.
Newer area restaurant partners for Bite Squad include, but are not limited to the following: Rizzo’s by Michael Patrick, Island Paradise Takeout, Bell’s Catfish and Soul Food, Blue’s City Donuts, Lafayette’s Music Room, Height Wings, Lennys Grill & Subs, Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill, and Lamplighter Lounge & Café.
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154 new cases & 4 new deaths in Shelby County (7,244 cases/146 deaths total); 4,943 recoveries
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 154 new COVID-19 cases with 4 new deaths, for a total of 7,244 cases and 146 deaths in the county.
There have been 4,943 recoveries. 101,532 have been tested in the county.
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Main Event to open Memphis location Thursday
Thursday, Main Event will re-open its Memphis location.
Main Event management says it has developed a new standard of cleanliness which they are calling the “Play Smart, Play Safe” plan to prepare for the future of safe entertainment, fun, and celebrations. There is now a new clean team of employees specifically dedicated to cleaning the center from top to bottom, throughout the day as guests play. All staff will receive a temperature check before each shift and are required to wear a mask during the entirety of their work day.
All locations will now feature 6-foot markers throughout the venue to promote social distancing. They will also operate at 50% capacity and contactless pay has been implemented for everyone. Every piece of equipment will be cleaned between uses. Customers will also find sanitation stations placed throughout the center, including the entryway so guests can sanitize their hands as you transition from game to game. Gloves will also be available for guests who would like them.
And, as a thank you to all healthcare workers on the frontline, Main Event is offering all healthcare workers carrying a valid ID free games for themselves and their families at any time Monday through Thursday.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantries for Wednesday, June 17
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.
- Memphis, Eastside Community Church, 1503 Colonial 38117, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Knowledge Quest, 1046 S. 3rd. St. 38106, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Idlewild Presbyterian, 1750 Union Ave. 38104, 9 a.m.
- Memphis, Pleasant Chapel Church, 4813 Benjestown Rd. 38127, 10 a.m.
- Panola Cty, MS- Crenshaw Baptist, 235 Missouri St. 38621 in Crenshaw,10 a.m.
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Southern Heritage Classic Canceled
The 31st Southern Heritage Classic has been canceled due to COVID-19. The decision to cancel all events was made after SHC’s management reviewed a copy of the Shelby County Health Department’s Health Directive No. 6 detailing emergency management relief efforts put in place to address COVID-19, specifically those regarding recreational or athletic activities.
On average, over 75,000 people attend the SHC annually and individual events such as the tailgate in Tiger Lane, the football game between Jackson State University and Tennessee State University, the parade in Orange Mound, and others draw massive crowds which have the potential to increase the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Those who have already bought tickets for the football game can receive refunds at the point of purchase.
“I know this is a great disappointment to many who consider the SHC one of the major highlights of the year. The health and safety of our attendees along with that of our staff, sponsors, and others is a top priority. I encourage everyone to keep practicing recommended safety and social distancing measures so that we can return to our usual activities as soon as possible,” said Fred Jones, Founder of the Southern Heritage Classic.
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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.