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
WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state
1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.
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Mississippi reports 675 new cases & 20 new deaths
12:55 p.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 675 new cases and 20 new deaths, for a total of 26,567 cases and 1,059 deaths in the state.
DeSoto County has a total of 1,293 cases and 15 total deaths.
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W.C. Handy Museum reopening this week
The W. C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum on Beale Street will reopen Thursday, July 2, after being closed for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Social distancing " will be in be in place and all visitors will be required to wear facial masks as stipulated by health officials. Tours will be conducted every 30 minutes with a limit of 10 visitors per tour.
Hand sanitizer will be available and the museum will be cleaned throughout the day. Temporary hours of operation are Thursday-Saturday, 11:00 am- 4:00 pm.
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Shelby County COVID-19 case numbers will not be updated Monday due to statewide technical glitch
The number of Shelby County cases, number tested, number of recovered, and testing positivity rates could not be updated today due to a data upload issue with the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NBS). According to a Tennessee Department of Health news release issued yesterday, “Due to the ongoing backlog and this unplanned shutdown, a limited number of COVID-19 test results were imported into NBS in the last 24 hours. TDH will not release updated COVID-19 numbers today since our data are incomplete. This will also affect our metropolitan health department partners and their data updates tomorrow.” For that reason, the case counts and positivity rate chart are the most recent data available, from June 27.
Data that has been updated in this report includes COVID-19 case counts from Desoto and Crittenden Counties; nursing home cluster data; total number recovered; numbers of investigations and contacts and contacts currently under quarantine; and health department hotline call data.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantries for Monday, June 29
- Dyer Cty, TN- 114 W. Main, Newbern 38059, 10 a.m.
- Coahoma Cty, MS- Jonestown Multipurpose Bldg, 414 Second St., Jonestown, 10 a.m.
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.
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Nashville's mask ordinance went into effect at midnight
If you're heading to Nashville anytime soon, be aware of the rules for wearing masks; they are to be worn indoors and outdoors, with some exceptions
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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.