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Mid-South coronavirus live updates: 608 new cases & 13 new deaths in MS, and 30 new cases & 1 new death in Desoto County, over last 2 days

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

608 new cases & 13 new deaths in MS, and 30 new cases & 1 new death in Desoto County, over last 2 days

2:50 p.m. - Over the last two days, the Mississippi State Department of Health reports 608 new cases and 13 new deaths, for a total of 19,091 cases and 881 deaths in the state.

Desoto County reports 30 new cases and 1 new death, for a total of 694 cases and 12 deaths in the county. 

Again, these are a two-day totals. The department says technical issues delayed yesterday's numbers until today. 

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

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WATCH: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves gives update on COVID-19 in the state

2:30 p.m. - Watch HERE.

LIVE: Governor Tate Reeves COVID-19 Response

Governor Tate Reeves will hold a press conference to give an update on the current situation of COVID-19 in the state and discuss additional efforts being implemented to slow the spread.

Posted by Tate Reeves on Friday, June 12, 2020

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Memphis Zoo reopens additional amenities; makes protocol changes 

(NEWS RELEASE) - Memphis Zoo would like to announce it is reopening additional amenities and making changes to some of its protocol. The additional changes will go into effect Friday, June 12 unless otherwise noted.  

They are as follows:  

  • Memphis Zoo will strongly recommend guests wear facial coverings during their entire zoo visit, but it will no longer be a requirement. Facial coverings will be required inside all zoo buildings. 
  • Facial coverings will be required at the giraffe feeding deck when it reopens on Saturday, June 13th. Masks are available for purchase.  
  • All Memphis Zoo team members will continue to wear facial coverings while on Zoo grounds and have health screenings.  
  • Train will start running on June 13th.  
  • Water play areas will open on June 17th.  
  • Memphis Zoo will resume modified keeper chats and shows starting June 20th 
  • China Carousel and Trams will resume operation on June 20th.  
  • Camel rides will start again on June 20th. Facial coverings are required. 

We continue to follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines by asking employees and guests to stay home if they are sick, encouraging respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene, and routinely cleaning all surfaces and public areas. We also encourage guests to continue to practice social distancing while at the gate or inside the zoo. 

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TN reports 584 confirmed new cases & 6 new confirmed deaths in the state; more than 19,400 recoveries

2:00 p.m. - The Tennessee Department of Health reports 584 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, and another 202 probable cases, for a total of 29,126 cases in the state. They report 6 new confirmed deaths, and another 21 probable, for a total of 468.

There are 2,049 hospitalizations, and 19,425 have recovered. 594,960 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) - According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there are 731 new COVID-19 cases in the state within the last 24 hours, totaling 11,547 total positive coronavirus cases in Arkansas.

On Wednesday, Gov. Hutchinson announced the state of Arkansas is entering into Phase II. Phase II will begin on Monday, June 15.

This week, Arkansas has seen the highest number of hospitalizations since the beginning of COVID-19.

Key facts to know:

  • 11,547 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
  • 3,764 active cases
  • 176 reported deaths
  • 203 hospitalizations 
  • 49 on ventilators 
  • 7,607 recoveries

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

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Desoto County to distribute free washable face masks Saturday

(NEWS RELEASE) - The Desoto County Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce it secured additional face masks to distribute to citizens for free.

These masks are reusable and washable. They will be distributed Saturday, June 13, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 12 drive-thru locations across the county. 

It is part of the Mississippi Community Mask Program in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The county once again provided masks to the cities in DeSoto County for distribution.

“We are thankful to the state, volunteer firefighters, and Emergency Services for ensuring the people of DeSoto County have access to masks,” said Jessie Medlin, District 1 Supervisor and Board President.

The state-run mask program requires distribution only to residents of Mississippi. Vehicles in the drive-thru mask line must have Mississippi tags and/or a person in the vehicle must show a Mississippi photo ID. Residents may receive up to two masks per person, but supplies are limited so come early.

This is DeSoto County’s second mask giveaway. On May 30, more than 54,000 masks were handed out in less than four hours.

“We are so happy the county was able to secure more masks,” said District 4 Supervisor Lee Caldwell. “It’s important that people who need or want to wear a mask, are able to get one.”

DeSoto County Drive-thru Mask Distribution Locations:

  • ACI Volunteer Fire Department: 10145 Holly Springs Rd, Hernando, MS 38632
  • Bridgetown Volunteer Fire Department: 3980 Malone Rd, Nesbit MS 38651
  • Eudora Volunteer Fire Department: 9341 Hwy 304, Hernando, MS 38632
  • Fairhaven Volunteer Fire Department: 13701 Center Hill Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654
  • Lewisburg High School (Lewisburg VFD): 1755 Craft Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654
  • Love Volunteer Fire Department: 7345 Hwy 51 S, Hernando, MS 38632
  • Nesbit Volunteer Fire Department: 3233 Nesbit Rd, Nesbit, MS 38651
  • Walls Volunteer Fire Department: 6085 Hwy 161 Walls, MS 38680 

City Drive-thru Mask Distribution Locations: (Each city determined its own locations)

  • Horn Lake Intermediate School: 6585 Horn Lake Rd Horn Lake, MS 38637
  • Hernando Fire Station #2: 957 Hwy 51N Hernando, MS 38632
  • Southaven FEMA Shelter: 7360 Highway 51 N Southaven, MS 38671
  • Olive Branch High School: 9366 E Sandidge Rd Olive Branch, MS 38654

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COVID-19 testing results for Shelby County Department of Corrections

820 tests were completed and there were 19 positive results. Of those 19, 6 were inmates.

  • Number of inmates tested for COVID-19: 700 
  • Number of inmates tested positive for COVID-19: 6 
  • Number of inmates currently hospitalized for COVID-19: 0 
  • Number of inmates who have recovered from COVID-19: 0 
  • Number of inmate deaths from COVID-19: 0

  • Employees Tested (SCDC) 109 
  • Employees Tested (Contractor) 11
  • Total Employees Tested: 120

  • Employees Hospitalized (SCDC) 0
  • Employees Hospitalized (Contractor) 0
  • Total Number Hospitalized: 0 

  • Employee Deaths (SCDC) 0
  • Employee Deaths (Contractor) 0
  • Total Number of Deaths: 0

  • Employees Recovered From COVID (SCDC) 7
  • Employees Recovered From COVID (Contractor) 5
  • Total Number Recovered: 12

  • Employees Tested Positive for COVID-19 (SCDC) 8
  • Employees Tested Positive for COVID-19 (Contractor) 5
  • Total Number of Employees Tested Positive For COVID-19: 13

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98 new cases & 2 new deaths in Shelby County (6,443 cases/138 deaths total); more than 4,500 recoveries

10:00 a.m. - The Shelby County Health Department reports 98 new COVID-19 cases and 2 new deaths, for a total of 6,443 cases and 138 new deaths in the county.

There have been 4,513 recoveries. 92,806 have been tested in the county.

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

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Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantries

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. 

Fri., June 12

  • Lauderdale Cty, TN- Holly Grove, 155 College in Ripley 38063, 10 a.m.
  • Fayette Cty, TN- House of Faith Ministries, 14915 Hwy 76 in Sommerville 38068, 11 a.m.
  • Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida 1348 National 38112, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, "Kid Friendly" School Seed Foundation 320 Joubert 38109, 4 p.m.
  • Memphis, St. Patrick Church, 4th St. & MLK Drive 38126, 10 a.m.  Zip Code 38126 Only
  • Union Cty, MS-  7th Day Adventist Church, 507 Oak St. in New Albany 38652, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, St. Andrew AME, 1427 Mississippi Blvd 38106, 10 a.m.
  • Memphis, New Bellevue Ministries, 672 N. Trezevant  38112, 10 a.m.
Lauderdale Cty, TN- Holly Grove, 155 College in Ripley 38063, 10 a.m. Fayette Cty, TN- House of Faith Ministries, 14915 Hwy 76 in Sommerville 38068, 11 a.m. Memphis, Iglesia Nueva Vida 1348 National 38112, 10 a.m. Memphis, "Kid Friendly" School Seed Foundation 320 Joubert 38109, 4 p.m. Memphis, St.

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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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