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
Free COVID-19 testing to be offered by Tristate Community Health Center May 22 & May 27
Tristate Community Health Center at 4041 Knight Arnold Road in Memphis will be offering Free COVID-19 testing with or without an appointment Friday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 27.
May 22 - Friday's testing will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 4041 Knight Arnold Road and 1725 Pinebrook Drive.
May 27 - Wednesday's testing will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 4041 Knight Arnold Road.
FOR APPOINTMENT TEXT: COV2019 to 91999
FOR APPOINTMENT CALL: (901) 572-1573
- Monday 9am-5pm
- Tuesday 9am-7pm
- Wednesday 9am-7pm
- Thursday 9am-5pm
- Friday 9am- 1pm
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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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429 new cases & 4 new deaths in TN (18,961 cases/313 deaths total); nearly 12,200 recovered
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports there are 429 new COVID-19 cases and 4 new deaths, for a total of 18,961 cases and 313 deaths in the state.
There are 1,539 hospitalizations, and 12,191 have recovered. 360,583 people have been tested in the state.
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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 21, Arkansas officials reported 455 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 5,458 positive cases in the state.
Governor Hutchinson announced on Saturday an investigation is being conducted after an applicant accessed the unemployment system and reported a potential data exposure to officials. He was notified Friday night and the system was shut down immediately in order to prevent a data breach.
As of Monday, May 18 all retail stores in Arkansas are open for business, except bars.
Key facts to know:
- 5,458 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 1,044 active cases
- 107 reported deaths
- 79 hospitalizations
- 3,852 recoveries
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Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald extends state of emergency to May 28
12:45 p.m. - Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald has extended the city's state of emergency until May 28th.
The May 18, 2020 Health Directive No. 4, issued by the Shelby County Health Department, will continue in effect in the City of Bartlett until June 1, 2020, unless superseded before then.
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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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255 new cases & 10 new deaths in MS (12,222 cases/580 deaths total); Desoto has 1 new case & 1 new death
11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 255 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 10 new deaths. The total of coronavirus cases since March 11 is now 12,222, with 580 deaths.
Desoto County reports 1 new case and 1 new death, as well as one new outbreak at a long-term care facility. The total there now stands at 419 cases and 6 deaths, with 14 outbreaks at long-term care facilities.
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29 new cases & 3 new deaths in Shelby County (4,034 cases/91 deaths total); more than 2,700 recovered
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 29 new COVID-19 cases and 3 new deaths, for a total of 4,034 cases and 91 deaths in the county.
2,714 have recovered.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for Thursday, May 21, 2020
- Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida 1348 National 38112 9 a.m.
- Fayette Cty, TN- "Kid Friendly" 210 Jackson St. in Galloway 38036, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Keel Ave Baptist Church 778 N. Bellevue 38107, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Bert Ferguson Comm. Center 8505 Trinity Road in Cordova 38018, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, New Direction Church 6120 Winchester 38115, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, MAM-Grizzlies Center 2107 Ball 38114, 10 a.m.
- Tunica Cty MS- 3873 US Hwy 61 at the Arena 38767, 1 p.m.
- Quitman Cty, MS- 1012 MLK Dr. in Marks 38646, 10 a.m.
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Horseshoe Casino in Tunica reopens Thursday
Horseshoe Tunica will resume gaming at 8 a.m. with 50% capacity as part of Mississippi's Phase One Casino Reopening Guidelines.
Slot machine will be arranged to allow for proper social distancing, and table games will be offered with limited seating.
Poker, the Sportsbook, Village Square Buffet, the Laurel Lounge and the WSOP bar will remain closed until further notice, and are planned to reopen in phases.
For a full list of all the amenities that will be available, click here.
Guests will be provided masks and will be strongly encouraged to wear them while inside the casino.
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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.