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 August 7th
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Shelby County Health Department issues Directive 10, on "tripwires", sports, and courthouses
3:35 p.m. - The Shelby County Health Department has issued Health Directive No. 10, set to go into effect Monday.
The health department says the directive makes the following changes from Health Directive No. 9:
- Improvements/Set Backs and Responses chart added to show “tripwires” for reopenings/shutdowns. The Health Department will continue to share information about testing capacity, hospital capacity, and public health capacity with the mayors and other medical partners because those “responses” involve actions required by the health department and/or governmental partners.
- Sports are addressed based on Governor Lee’s Executive Order 55 (there are also FAQs on the digital site that speak to sports (at the bottom of the page))
- County courthouses are addressed (to limit too much traffic coming in)
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2,432 new cases & 20 new deaths in TN; nearly 79,400 recoveries
2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 2,432 new COVID-19 cases and 20 new deaths, for a total of 118,782 cases and 1,206 deaths in the state.
There have been 5,190 hospitalizations, and 79,397 recoveries. 1,660,337 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.
Key facts to know:
- 48,039 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 7,158 active cases
- 521 reported deaths
- 523 hospitalizations
- 116 on ventilators
- 40,360 recoveries
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Drive-up testing in Helena-West Helena, AR
12:50 a.m. - (NEWS RELEASE) - Drive-up testing for COVID-19 will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Aug. 14 at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, 1000 Campus Road in Helena-West Helena. There will be no out-of-pocket cost for testing. The first 200 community members will be tested.
The testing will be conducted by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in cooperation with UAMS East Regional Campus, Phillips Community College and the Blue and You Foundation.
You do not have to be a UAMS patient to be seen. This testing is for everyone who feels they need testing. Patients will get instructions on how to take care of themselves and their family at home. Test results will be returned either through an online patient portal, letter or phone call.
Even if you don’t have any symptoms, wash your hands regularly and practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from other people not in your household, and wear a mask in public. An online screening tool is available at uamshealth.com/healthnow. Phone screening is available through the UAMS Health hotline at 800-632-4502.
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1,036 new cases & 23 new deaths in MS; 51 new cases & 2 new deaths in Desoto County
11:00 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 1,036 new COVID-19 cases and 23 new deaths, for a total of 65,436 cases and 1,848 deaths in the state.
Desoto County has 51 new cases and 2 new deaths, for a total of 3,574 cases and 30 deaths in the county.
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264 new cases & 2 new deaths in Shelby County; more than 18,100 recoveries
10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 264 new COVID-19 cases and 2 new deaths, for a total of 22,816 cases and 299 deaths in the county.
There are 18,182 recoveries.
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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry locations for Friday and Saturday
Fri., Aug. 7
- Marshall Cty, MS- Chulahoma MBChurch, 5509 MS-4, Holly Springs 38635 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8
- Memphis, Saint Augustine Catholic Church, 1169 Kerr 38106, 9 a.m.
- Memphis, Springdale MBC, 1193 Springdale 38108, 9 a.m.
- Memphis, Lindenwood Christian Church, 2400 Union Ave. 38112, 9 a.m.
- Memphis, Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 7289 Stage Rd. (Hwy 64) 38133, 9 a.m.
- Memphis, Mt. Moriah East Housing, 1248 Haynes 38114, 9:30 a.m. Please do not arrive before 8 a.m.
- Memphis, Memphis Dawah Association, 837 Craft Rd. 38116, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Living Life in Victory Church, 4300 Raleigh LaGrange 38128, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, Rock Development , 6720 E. Raines Rd. 38115, 10 a.m.
- Memphis, True Victory Ministries, 3150 E. Shelby Dr. 38118, 10 a.m.
- Panola Cty, MS- Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 2727 Cotton Plant Rd. Batesville 48606, 9 a.m.
- Panola Cty, MS- Beyond Ministry Inc., 100 Hoskins Rd. Batesville 38606, 10 a.m.
- Prentiss Cty, MS- Jumpertown United Methodist Church, 888 Highway 4 W. Booneville 38829, 10 a.m. PRENTISS COUNTY ONLY
- Alcorn Cty, MS- Church of Crossroads, 2037 Hwy 72 E. Corinth 38834, 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.