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
City of Bartlett extends the State of Emergency Order
3:00pm----- The duration of the state of emergency will continue through May 21, 2020 or until rescinded, but shall be limited to seven (7) days unless it is necessary by Executive Order for additional seven (7) day increments as permitted by law. The May 4, 2020 Health Directive No. 3, issued by the Shelby County Health Department, will continue in effect in the City of Bartlett until May 18, 2020, unless superseded before then or extended; whereupon the Shelby County Health Department Health Directive that becomes effective on May 19, 2020 will continue in effect in the City of Bartlett as set forth in such Health Directive.
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Free voluntary COVID-19 testing to begin next week at some Memphis housing units
(NEWS RELEASE) - Memphis State Representative Barbara Cooper is announcing that free, voluntary testing for COVID-19 will begin next week in many of the city’s housing units. Health care workers and National Guardsmen wearing medical protective gear, in conjunction with MHA and Governor Bill Lee’s COVID-19 Unified Command Group, will test for the Coronavirus Monday and Tuesday in the following areas:
- Kefauver Terrace Apartments
- Jefferson Square Apartments
- Paul Borda Tower Apartments
- Montgomery Plaza Apartments
- Patterson Pointe Apartments
Representative Cooper says she’s heard from constituents in those areas, many of them seniors, who are concerned about the virus: “Often senior citizens and others in high rise apartments and public housing may want to get tested, but don’t have the ability to get back and forth to the mobile testing centers; this way we can respond to their concerns and bring the testing directly to them to serve their needs.”
Cooper added the effort is supported by the Governor’s office, the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators and the House Democratic Caucus.
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After feud, Mississippi leaders cooperate on virus relief
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi legislative leaders say they expect Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to sign a bill that will create grants for small businesses by using part of the state's coronavirus relief money.
The governor's staff worked with House and Senate leaders to create the $300 million program.
The grants are for Mississippi-owned businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Legislators passed it late Wednesday with bipartisan support.
Mississippi is receiving more than $1 billion from the federal government.
The Health Department says Thursday that Mississippi has at least 10,483 confirmed cases and 480 deaths from the new coronavirus.
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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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329 new cases & 14 new deaths in TN; more than 8,800 have recovered
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of health reports 329 new COVID-19 cases and 14 new deaths in the state. 8,881 have recovered.
There have been a total of 16,699 cases and 287 deaths in Tennessee so far.
There are 1,435 hospitalizations, and 302,317 have been tested.
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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
(KTHV) - As of Thursday, May 14, Arkansas officials announced 130 new COVID-19 cases, bring the total to 4,366 positive cases in the state.
On Tuesday, Gov. Hutchinson said Arkansas has received the COVID-19 drug Remdesivir, which has enough for 50 patients.
As the state remains in Phase One, several businesses have been allowed to reopen. Barbershops, salons, and gyms are among those. Public pools, splash pads, water parks, and swim beaches will be allowed to open on May 22.
Key facts to know:
- 4,366 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 862 active positive cases
- 73,215 total tests
- 69,051 negative test results
- 98 reported deaths
- 3,277 recoveries
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Germantown has free masks available to residents; first come, first served
(NEWS RELEASE) - The City of Germantown has received a limited supply of personal protective masks from the State of Tennessee to distribute to members of our community. The Germantown Fire Department will be distributing masks on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pickering Center, 7771 Poplar Pike.
Masks will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out. The masks are available to Germantown residents 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.
Attached is a map with directions on how traffic will flow through the Pickering Center parking lot. 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.
The City also has masks available to local businesses. For more information, email b2b@Germantown-TN.gov.
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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force briefing
12:00 p.m. - COVID-19 Joint Task Force update with Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Director, Shelby County Health Department.
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Nearly 400 new cases, 15 new deaths in MS; Desoto County has 5 new cases, and 4 new outbreaks at long-term care facilities
11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 393 new COVID-19 cases and 15 new deaths in the state.
The total of coronavirus cases in the state since March 11 is now 10,483, with 480 deaths.
Desoto County reports 5 new cases and no new deaths, for a total of 355 cases and 5 deaths in the county. Desoto also has 4 new outbreaks at long-term care facilities, now totaling 6 there.
From the MS Department of Health: "Long-term care (LTC) facilities like nursing homes are considered high risk locations because their residents are older or in poor health. Even one case of COVID-19 in these facilities among residents or employees is considered an outbreak. We investigate residents, staff and close contacts of infected individuals for possible exposure. (Long-term care facilities include nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, personal care homes, assisted living facilities, long-term acute care facilities, and psychiatric or chemical dependency residential treatment centers.)"
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61 new cases and 2 new deaths in Shelby County (3,523 cases/78 deaths total); more than 2,100 recoveries
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 61 new cases and 2 new deaths in the county. 2,115 have recovered.
There have been a total of 3,523 cases and 78 deaths in Shelby County.
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LeMoyne-Owen College to participate in "Show Me Your Walk" virtual Commencement
LeMoyne-Owen College will be one of 78 Historically Black Colleges and Universities to participate in Show Me Your Walk, a virtual commencement featuring President Barack Obama on Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. central. The commencement, sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and HBCU education partners, The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), will air via Chase’s social media platforms, ESSENCE Studios and HBCU Connect Facebook.
HBCUs produce 70% of African American doctors and dentists, 50% of black lawyers and 80% of black judges. HBCU graduates can also expect work-life earnings of $130 billion—an additional $927,000 per graduate, 56 percent more than they could expect to earn without their HBCU degrees or certificates, according to UNCF.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for May 14, 2020
- Tipton Cty, TN- St. John MBC 1998 Atoka-Idaville Rd. in Atoka 38004, 10 a.m.
- Fayette Cty, TN- Mt. Sinai Baptist 2425 Hwy 59 in Mason 38049, 10 a.m.
- Fayette Cty, TN- Our Hands to Yours, 160 Charleston St., Moscow 38057, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, (kid friendly) 645 Georgia Ave 38126, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Pleasant Hill Chapel MBC, 4523 Raleigh LaGrange Rd. 38128, 10 a.m.
- Tunica Cty, MS- Tunica Ten Point 1165 Abbay Drive 38676 in Tunica, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, New Direction Church 6120 Winchester 38115, 11 a.m.
- Shelby Cty, TN- Bert Ferguson Community Center 8505 Trinity in Cordova 38108, 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.