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
A look at COVID-19 numbers in Memphis and Shelby County for June 25th
WATCH: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves speaks after single largest increase in COVID-19 cases in MS
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Memphis face mask ordinance officially in effect with mayor's signature
2:45 p.m. - The ordinance requiring anyone in public in Memphis to wear a face covering is now in effect. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland signed Thursday.
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Tennessee reports 799 new cases & 11 new deaths; more than 25,200 recoveries
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 799 new COVID-19 cases and 11 new deaths, for a total of 38,034 cases and 567 deaths in the state.
There are 2,431 hospitalizations, and 25,280 have recovered. 727,268 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) - In the first week of Phase Two, Arkansas saw a total of 3,060 new coronavirus cases.
In the second phase, restaurants and businesses are allowed to fill up to two-thirds capacity and Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that nursing home visitations will continue on July 1.
Hutchinson has also issued a new guidance on face masks in the state, but has yet to make it a requirement to wear them in public settings.
Key facts to know:
- 17,375 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 5,063 active cases
- 240 reported deaths
- 267 hospitalizations
- 61 on ventilators
- 10,793 recoveries
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Mississippi reports 1,092 new cases & 5 new deaths; Desoto County has 101 new cases
12:55 p.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 1,092 new cases and 5 new deaths, for a total of 24,516 cases and 1,016 deaths in the state.
Desoto County has 101 new cases and no new deaths, for a total of 1091 cases and 15 total deaths in the county.
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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force Thursday briefing
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Rhodes and Baptist Memorial Healthcare Announce COVID-19 Partnership
Rhodes College and Baptist Memorial Health Care have announced a comprehensive partnership to provide COVID-19 prevention, monitoring, testing, tracing, and health care services to students, faculty, and staff members.
Forming this partnership with Baptist addresses the need for a full-scale safety protocol led by public health experts. Baptist will assist the college with developing its health and safety protocol plan and implementation strategies for that plan, including testing, tracing and care.
As part of the partnership, Baptist will administer a robust testing regimen for the Rhodes community. Baptist will assist Rhodes in deploying a regular symptom monitoring protocol that will allow for in-depth contact tracing and management of potential community occurrence of COVID-19 cases.
Services also include a virtual care clinic for positive COVID-19 cases in coordination with the Rhodes Student Health Clinic and a Return to Campus testing strategy that will test all faculty, staff, and students to ease potential concerns upon return.
“As we began planning for the fall semester, our planning committees quickly identified the need for additional health care resources. This relationship with Baptist will provide our campus with resources normally found at a large research university with an academic medical center. Most importantly, our students, faculty, and staff will be supported and cared for by physicians and providers from one of the nation’s top integrated health care networks,” Rhodes College President Marjorie Hass says.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to help one of the country’s finest institutions welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus safely,” said Dr. Stephen Threlkeld, co-director of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis’ infection prevention program. “We feel a tremendous responsibility to help our community weather the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership is a natural extension of the tremendous investment we have made into educating, treating and protecting people from COVID-19, and we are excited to help Rhodes get back to educating its students.”
The partnership will focus on several areas, including:
Prevention Baptist will work with Rhodes to determine the types of personal protective equipment (PPE) needed across campus. They will also assist Rhodes in procuring necessary PPE. Additionally, Baptist will help Rhodes train its community on the proper use of PPE. Baptist will also advise the college on best practices for cleaning public areas and assist the college in procuring disinfectant supplies.
Symptom Monitoring Rhodes will be implementing a COVID-19 monitoring program to identify community members with symptoms to prevent the spread of disease. Baptist experts will assist and advise the college as it establishes the program. The college will likely conduct symptom checks at certain locations and entrances around campus in addition to using an app for self-reporting.
Testing Baptist will provide testing services to Rhodes. The college plans to test all students, faculty, and staff before the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Baptist will also provide testing services for symptomatic members of the Rhodes community. Tests for symptomatic patients will be billed to the person’s health insurance.
Care & Tracing Baptist will establish a virtual COVID-19 care clinic for members of the community who test positive for COVID-19. The clinic will provide communication of test results, symptom tracking, self-care resources, return to class or work evaluations, and enhanced contact tracing. Members of the community will also have access to the Baptist Memorial Health Care network of hospitals and providers.
Resource Center Baptist will provide a 24/7 resource center staffed by licensed medical professionals. The center will provide immediate access to information and COVID-19 care resources.
On May 27, President Marjorie Hass announced that the college intends to begin in-person classes in August, if three conditions are met:
1. The college has to create a health and safety protocol plan that appropriately reduces risk for students, faculty, and staff.
2. Students, faculty, and staff have to work together to build a shared culture of support for the health and safety protocols.
3. External public health conditions in Memphis have to support re-opening.
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Drive-thru testing Saturday in Raleigh at Greater Imani Church, The Cathedral of Faith
Memphis Health Center will partner with Greater Imani Church, The Cathedral of Faith to provide drive-thru testing on Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the parking lot of the church, located at 3824 Austin Peay Highway.
There is no appointment needed to get a test, however, getting registered is encouraged. Individuals seeking a test should call 901.261.2042 and answer a series of screening questions.
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Shelby County reports 294 new cases and 9 new deaths; nearly 5,958 recoveries
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 294 new COVID-19 cases and 9 new deaths, for a total of 8,688 cases and 176 deaths in the county.
5,958 have recovered.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantries for Thursday, June 25
- Memphis, Healing Cathedral Church, 4523 Elvis Presley Blvd 38116, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida, 1348 National, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, UT Health Science Ctr, 197 S. Dudley 38104, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, New Direction Church, 6120 Winchester, 38115, 11 a.m.
- Memphis, Burt Ferguson Comm Ctr, 8505 Trinity Rd., Cordova 38018, 10 a.m.
- Tipton Cty, TN- St. Luke Church, 632 Luke Rd, Covington 38019, 9 a.m. Register by phone 901-491-3898
- DeSoto Cty, MS- Christ the King Catholic Church, 785 Church Rd, Southaven 38671, 2:30 p.m., first 500 households. Registration required 662-342-3180. DeSoto Cty residents only, must show ID. 2 households per car.
- Tunica Cty, MS- First Presbyterian at the Arena, 3873 US 61, Tunica 38676, 1 p.m.
- Lauderdale Cty, TN- Fountain of Life, 748 E. Tigrett St., Halls 38040, 10 a.m.
- Haywood Cty, TN- First Baptist, 311 E. Jefferson, Brownsville 38012, 9 a.m.
- Tishomingo Cty, MS- 1701 Paul Edmondson Rd., Iuka 38852, 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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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.