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.

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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 August 28th
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Credit: Local 24
This graph shows new Coronavirus cases in Shelby County. The dotted line represents the 7-day average on each day. The largest daily increase was July 14th with 700 new cases.
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Credit: Local 24
This graph shows the number of active Coronavirus cases in Shelby County. When new cases are discovered, more are added. When someone recovers from Coronavirus (they no longer have an active infection) then they are removed.
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Credit: Local 24
This graph shows the daily positivity rate (The percent of positive tests that day of all tests reported that day) versus total positivity (the percent of all positive tests of all tests reported since the reporting began).
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Credit: Local 24
This graph shows the number of current Coronavirus patients in Shelby County hospitals.

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Tennessee passes 150,000 COVID-19 cases & 1,700 deaths

2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 1,636 new COVID-19 cases and 28 new deaths, for a total of 150,815 cases and 1,701 deaths in the state.

There have been 6,751 hospitalizations, and 113,313 recoveries, and 2,152,015 have been tested in the state

Find the full breakdown from the Tennessee Department of Health HERE.

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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state

1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE. 

Key facts to know:

  • 59,583 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas 
  • 5,496 active cases
  • 756 reported deaths
  • 407 hospitalizations
  • 95 on ventilators
  • 52,665 recoveries

Find the full breakdown from the Arkansas Department of Health HERE.

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599 new cases & 14 new deaths in MS; 53 new cases in Desoto County

11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 599 new COVID-19 cases and 14 new deaths, for a total of 81,294 cases and 2,413 deaths in the state.

Desoto County has 53 new cases and no new deaths, for a total of 4,509 cases and 43 deaths in the county.

Find the full breakdown from the Mississippi State Department of Health HERE. 

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149 new cases & 5 new deaths in Shelby County; nearly 24,000 recoveries

10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 149 new COVID-19 cases and 5 new deaths, for a total of 27,052 cases and 375 deaths in the county.

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There have been 23,788 recoveries in the county.

Find the full breakdown from the Shelby County Health Department HERE.

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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for Friday & Saturday

Fri., Aug. 28

  • Memphis, New Bellevue Ministries, 672 N. Trezvant 38112, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, Hyde Park-Homeland CDC, 2070 Chelsea 38108, 1 p.m.
  • Benton Cty, MS- 17136 Hwy 5 Ashland 3860, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 29

  • Memphis, St. Paul Baptist Church, 2124 E. Holmes 38116, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, Central Area Church, 3856 Mendenhall 38115, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, Memphis Dawah Association, 837 Craft Rd. 38116, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 491 E. McLemore 38106, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, St. Andrew AME Church, 1472 Mississippi Blvd. 38106, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, Holiness Tabernacle Church, 2424 St. Elmo Ave. 38127, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 1362 S Prescott 38114, 11 a.m.
  • Memphis, Gray's Creek Church, 3141 Inglewood Pl. Arlington 38002, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, Holy Temple Cathedral of Deliverance, 4020 Millbranch 38116, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida, 7981 Summer Ave. Bartlett, 38133, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida, 1348 National 38122, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida, 4945 Winchester 38118, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, Pentecostal Temple, 229 S. Danny Thomas 38126, 10 a.m.
  • Dyer Cty, TN- Macedonia, 725 River Dyersburg 38024, 10 a.m.
  • Obion Cty, TN- Greater Bethel, 805 E. Gibbs Union City 38261, 10 a.m.
  • Tunica Cty, MS- Tunica County Expo Center, 3873 US Hwy 61 Tunica 38676, 9 a.m.
  • Union Cty, MS- Hillcrest Baptist Church, 216 Hwy 15 S. New Albany 38652, 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.

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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.