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Mid-South coronavirus live updates: Breaking down the COVID-19 data for the Mid-South

With more news coming in every hour about the coronavirus, this post will update you with the latest you need to know.

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

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Juvenile Court courtrooms closed July 20 - 24; one employee tested positive

3:00 p.m. - (NEWS RELEASE) - Due to the Covid19 cases affecting the Juvenile Court Clerk's Office, Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael has ordered that all Juvenile Court cases scheduled for hearings on Thursday, July 23 and Friday, be rescheduled. Due to a judicial conference, no cases were scheduled to be heard at Juvenile Court on Monday, July 20, Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22. Thus, all courtrooms at Juvenile Court will be closed from Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24.

One Juvenile Court employee, who said she frequently visited the Juvenile Court Clerk's Office during the past 10 days, has tested positive for Covid19. No other Juvenile Court employee has tested positive.

The juvenile detention facility housed at 616 Adams, is completely separate from the daily operations of Juvenile Court. There are no known Covid19 cases in the detention area. The detention staff and juveniles in detention are monitored daily.

(NEWS RELEASE) - The Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office was notified by the Shelby County Health Department of a positive covid result by Juvenile Court Clerk’s office employee on Friday July 10th.  On that day all contacts were reported to the Health Department and Clerk’s office staff followed quarantine procedures for affected employees.    

While we regret the magnitude of these contacts throughout the court, we understand that our staff and the public’s safety is of the utmost importance,” said Juvenile Court Clerk’s office CAO, Matt Kuhn.

On Thursday July 16, JCCO was made aware of a positive covid result from the protective services department of Juvenile Court.  Contact tracing named 4 members of the Clerk’s Office and Health Department protocols were initiated immediately.  Unfortunately, almost all employees from two departments are impacted by these findings.  Central Records and the Minute Clerk department operations are being temporarily suspended due to lack of available personnel.

While we will be suspending the operation of these departments, we are taking precautionary measures with sanitation and cleaning throughout the Clerk’s office to be able to return as soon as possible after Health Department quarantines expire.  The Juvenile Court Judge has continued the dockets for the week of July 20-24th. Both affected departments of the clerk’ office will be back on the 27th of July.  The Clerk’s office will continue to staff the emergency dockets.

While our office will be suspending operations of two departments, The Juvenile Court Clerk’s office will remain open to the public via phone and through glass partitions in our office.   The Clerk’s office is tasked with keeping its doors open and attorneys are encouraged to call our office to make arrangements during this time.

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2,479 new cases & 13 new deaths in TN; nearly 3500 hospitalizations

2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 2,479 new COVID-19 cases and 13 new deaths, for a total of 71,540 cases and 796 deaths in the state.

There are 3,497 hospitalizations, and 41,250 have recovered. 1,123,038 have been tested in the state..

Find the full breakdown from the Tennessee Department of Health HERE.

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WATCH: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives update on COVID-19 in the state

1:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.

(KTHV) - On Saturday, July 11, the Arkansas Department of Health confirmed 1,061 new coronavirus cases in the state within 24 hours, bringing the biggest single day increase since the start of the pandemic in Arkansas

Governor Hutchinson said the record high number of cases is concerning and could be a result of July 4th celebrations.

Last week, Gov. Hutchinson also announced schools will return this fall, but will return at a later date. The start date of school will be the week of August 24, but no later than August 26.

Key facts to know:

  • 31,114 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
  • 6,578 active cases
  • 341 reported deaths
  • 470 hospitalizations
  • 101 on ventilators
  • 24,195 recoveries

Find the full breakdown from the Arkansas Department of Health HERE.

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City of Bartlett mayor extends Civil Emergency Order

12:10 p.m. - The order has been extended until July 23, 2020.

Read more HERE.

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WATCH: Memphis & Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force briefing

12:00 p.m. - Watch HERE.

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1,230 new cases and 18 new deaths reported in Mississippi; Desoto County has 59 new cases

11:55 a.m. - The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 1,230 new COVID-19 cases and 18 new deaths, for a total of 39,797 cases and 1,308 deaths in the state.

Desoto County has 59 new cases and no new deaths, for a total of 2,171 cases and 20 deaths in the county.

Find the full breakdown from the Mississippi State Department of Health HERE.

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466 new cases and 4 new deaths in Shelby County; more than 10,100 recoveries

10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 466 new COVID-19 cases and 4 new deaths, for a total of 15,270 cases and 233 deaths in the county.

There are 10,122 recoveries, and 165,520 have been tested.

Find the full breakdown from the Shelby County Health Department HERE.

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Shelby County testing sites resource map

If you're looking for a testing site near you, here's a map to help you find the closest location.

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Mid-South Food Bank Mobile Pantry locations for Thursday

Here are the locations for the Mid-South Food Bank's Mobile Pantry for Thursday, July 16.

  • Memphis, I Live 2 Give, 4821 American Way, 38118, 11 a.m.
  • Memphis, MAM-Grizzlies Center, 2107 Ball Rd, 38114, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida, 1348 National, 38122, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, Bert Ferguson Comm Ctr, 8505 Trinity, 38018, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, New Hope Christian Church, 3300 Kirby Whitten Rd., 38134, 9 a.m.
  • Memphis, Second Baptist Church, 1208 Florida St., 38106, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, New Direction Church, 6120 Winchester 38115, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Memphis, Colonial Park United Methodist Church, 5330 Park Ave., 38119, 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.

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