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
Read Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland's daily update
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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee gives update on COVID-19 response in the state
3:00 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(NEWS RELEASE) - Today, Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group announced guidance for gyms and exercise facilities on how to reopen safely. Gyms will be allowed to reopen in 89 of the state’s 95 counties beginning Friday, May 1. The counties excluded are those with locally-run health departments: Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Sullivan.
“Exercise is incredibly important for the physical and mental health of our population, and we want Tennesseans to have access to safe environments where they can exercise as appropriate,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “These guidelines outline best practices in keeping with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and health experts for gyms to reopen in a way that will keep their employees and customers safe.”
In addition to strict adherence to CDC guidelines, the State recommends gyms, fitness/exercise facilities, or substantially similar facilities and activities put into place an assortment of measures to protect consumers and employees. The full guidelines are posted online here.
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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 more than 10,000 cases and 188 deaths in state
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 10,052 confirmed cases, including 188 deaths, 894 hospitalizations and 4,921 recovered.
161,928 have been tested in the state.
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Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 response in the state
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(KTHV) - As of Tuesday, April 28, the Arkansas Department of Health has confirmed 3,111 positive COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
Gov. Hutchinson announced on Friday, May 1, camping for in-state resident RVs will open. On May 15, Arkansas is expected to open restaurants, marinas, and more at state parks.
Tomorrow, Gov. Hutchinson will be announcing a decision on restaurants in the state.
Key facts to know:
- 3,111 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 40,629 total tests
- 37,560 negative test results
- 52 reported deaths
- 1,146 recoveries
- All Arkansas schools are closed for the remainder of the school year
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New COVID-19 testing site in Memphis
12:30 p.m. - (NEWS RELEASE) - The New Drive Thru Test Site will open in an area that is being underserved for COVID-19 Testing. The new site will operate at the Case Management, Inc. Your Community Health & Wellness Primary Care Clinic which is located at 1087 Alice Ave in the 38106 zip code area.
The 38106 zip code area has very low numbers of individuals that have been tested. Case Management, Inc. is already providing COVID-19 Testing at their 3171 Directors Row location and will begin offering testing at this site starting Friday, May 1, 2020 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Testing will also be available at this site on Saturday at the same time. This community is a very stable African American neighborhood that encompasses the Pine Hill and Longview Heights neighborhoods and will include the surrounding communities as well.
Florence Hervery, CEO of Case Management, Inc. shared that there are a large number of seniors that live in this area, many of which have underlying health conditions. We hope that offering a test site in this community will increase the number of individuals that will be tested. We look forward to sharing CDC and Shelby County Health Department guidelines to help keep them safe. In addition to COVID-19 testing, individuals in the 38106 community will be served with a Mobile Pantry hosted by the organization and other community partners. The Mobile Pantry is only available this Saturday, 5/2/20 starting at 9:00 a.m. and is intended to serve those that are being tested and reside in the 38106 zip code.
You must have an appointment to be tested. Please call the Case Management, Inc. COVID-19 Test Hot Line at (901) 821-5880 to receive an appointment for the test as well as information regarding eligibility for the 38106 Mobile Pantry.
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Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force briefing
12:00 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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Mississippi reports 248 new cases, 10 new deaths in state; Desoto County has 6 new cases
11:30 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 248 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 10 new deaths in the state. There are now a total of 6,342 cases and 239 deaths.
Desoto County reports 272 cases and 4 deaths total.
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Shelby County reports 2,358 confirmed cases and 46 deaths total
9:30 a.m. - The Shelby County Department of Health reports 38 new cases and one new death in the county. There are now a total of 2,358 cases and 46 deaths.
25,748 people have been tested so far in the county.
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Over 1,000 COVID-19 recoveries in Arkansas
(KTHV) - As of Monday, April 27, the Arkansas Department of Health has confirmed 3,069 positive COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
On Saturday, the governor announced traditional high school graduation ceremonies are restricted until July 1.
Key facts to know:
- 3,069 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 40,629 total tests
- 37,560 negative test results
- 51 reported deaths
- 1,053 recoveries
- All Arkansas schools are closed for the remainder of the school year
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile food pantry locations for Tuesday, April 28
- Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida, 7981 Summer 38133, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, New Bellevue Ministries, 672 Trezevant 38112, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Temple of Deliverance COGIC, 369 G.E. Patterson 38126, 10 a.m.
- Lauderdale Cty TN- 145 South Main St. 38063 in Ripley, 5 p.m.
- Lake Cty, TN- 552 Bishop Ridgely 38080 in Ridgely, 10 a.m.
- Hardeman Cty, TN- 230 E. Main St. 38075 in Whiteville 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Mt. Zion Church 933 Peeples 38109, 9:30 a.m.
- Memphis, Kirby Middle School (kid friendly) 6670 Raines 38115, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Wooddale Middle School (kid friendly) 3467 Castleman 38118, 10 a.m.
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Kroger & Cherokee Health's free drive-thru testing location for April 28 - 30
(NEWS RELEASE) - Kroger Health, the healthcare arm of The Kroger Co. (with Dillons stores in Memphis), is expanding its COVID-19 testing sites nationwide, including in Memphis.
The Memphis location is at:
- Cherokee Health
4095 American Way
Memphis, TN 38118
4/28 - 4/30
10:00am - 4:00pm
Patients remain in their cars throughout the testing process, which is completed in just a few minutes using self-administered test kits.
Testing priority will be given to healthcare workers, first responders and symptomatic groups. Those who wish to be tested must make an appointment online through Kroger Health’s Virtual Assessment Tool at www.krogerhealth.com/covidtesting.
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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.
