Memphis COVID-19 Updates - Memphis Coronavirus Updates

Safer at Home Executive Order: What You Need to Know (click for details): To further combat the spread of COVID-19, the City of Memphis will issue a Safer at Home Order effective 6pm on March 24, 2020 through midnight May 18, 2020 — directing all residents of Memphis to stay inside their homes, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary to take care of essential needs. Click here for details.

Jump to: Latest numbers or latest update or mask guidance or tips of the week

Back-to-Business Framework for Memphis & Shelby County

Getting back to business, safely

Working through the Joint COVID-19 Task Force, Shelby County government, the City of Memphis, and the six suburban municipalities have implemented proactive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. These measures have helped mitigate the progression of the disease locally.

While the community should remain vigilant about adhering to social distancing guidelines and hygiene practices, local government must also evaluate measures that help alleviate some burdens on the economy.

Back to Business is a data-driven phased approach to reopening the economy in Shelby County and is driven by indicators (measurements of the status of the pandemic) and conditions (measurements of our capacity to deal with the pandemic).

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Get Tested for COVID-19 For FREE

New and Expanded Testing Sites

If you aren’t feeling well, you can get tested for COVID-19 in Memphis for FREE. Please call ahead at a location near you.

If you need to find a COVID-19 testing center near you, you may call 833-556-2476 or 877-857-2945 or view the map below.

See All Testing Sites

Jump past this embedded map to read about Safer at Home.

Safer at Home

What you need to know

To further combat the spread of COVID-19, the City of Memphis issued a Safer at Home Order effective midnight on March 24, 2020 through midnight May 18, 2020 — directing all residents of Memphis to stay inside their homes, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary to take care of essential needs.

Safer at Home Order

FAQ – Safer at Home

By the Numbers

Cases in Shelby County

3,569

Updated 11:30am, 15 May 2020 from Shelby County (3,569 cases)
Updated 3:09pm, 15 May 2020 from TN.gov (3,595 cases)

Deaths in Shelby County

82

Updated 11:31am, 15 May 2020 from Shelby County

Recovered in Shelby County

2,115

Updated 3:09pm, 15 May 2020 from TN.gov

Cases in Tennessee

16,970

Updated 3:09pm, 15 May 2020 from TN.gov

Ever Hospitalized in Tennessee

1,454

Deaths in Tennessee

290

Recovered in Tennessee

9,280

Testing

Total Tests Taken in Shelby County

48,130

Updated 11:31am, 15 May 2020 from Shelby County

% of Positive Tests in Shelby County

7.42%

Total Tests Taken in Tennessee

309,756

% of Positive Tests in Tennessee

5.48%

Please note for hospitalizations: Information about hospitalization status is gathered at the time of diagnosis, therefore this information may be incomplete. This number indicates the number of patients that were ever hospitalized during their illness, it does not indicate the number of patients currently hospitalized.

Please note for deaths: Some deaths may be reported by health care providers, hospitals, medical examiners, local health departments, or others before they are included in the statewide count.

Please note for recovered: Tennessee Health Department defines “recovered” as people who (1) have been confirmed to be asymptomatic by their local or regional health department and have completed their required isolation period or (2) are at least 21 days beyond the first test confirming their illness.

More relating to these numbers: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html

Where to get tested for COVID-19: https://covid19.memphistn.gov/covid-19-testing-sites-in-shelby-county/

Memphis Area GIS Dashboard

Skip past these embedded maps to the latest update.

Latest Update

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Strickland (5-14)

May 14, 2020

As we begin opening up businesses and everyone slowly starts going back to work, I know this will create a very complicated issue. What am I supposed to do with my children when I’m required to go back to work? I want you to know we’re very aware of this issue, and we’re working very […]

CDC Recommendations

Cloth Face Cover

For Home

At Work

Community & Faith-based

Large Gatherings

Mask or Facial Covering Guidance

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Memphis has issued new guidance to Memphis residents on the importance of wearing face coverings in public.

Early data suggests that many who are infected with COVID-19 are not symptomatic, which is why we recommend all members of the public wear cloth face coverings when leaving the house for essential activities. A surgical mask is recommended for people with an underlying health condition. A face covering is not a substitute for other critical measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 — most importantly, staying home as much as possible, washing hands frequently, and practicing safe physical distancing in all settings.

What is a face covering? Is it a mask?

A face covering is not the same thing as a mask.

At this time, you should not be purchasing medical grade masks, which are in short supply. It is extremely important that N95 masks are reserved for those who need them most and have the highest risk of infection, including medical professionals and healthcare workers. It is recommended that Memphians instead wear cloth face coverings, such as one made with a bandana or scarf, or make your own using fabric. You can follow instructions available online from trusted sources. Any face coverings should be washed after each use.

These measures will help flatten the curve and save lives. Jump to how to make a cloth face covering.

Get a Free Mask

The Shelby County Health Department will distribute fabric face masks in partnership with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group to provide Tennessee citizens with access to personal protective equipment.

Individuals may pick up masks from 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

No appointment is needed. One per customer, Free while supplies last.

Shelby County Health Department Locations

Commodity Supplemental Food Program Warehouse

1020 South Bellevue, 38106

Cawthon Public Health Clinic

1000 Haynes, 38114

Collierville Public Health Clinic (Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

167 Washington St., 38017

Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic

6590 Kirby Center Cove, 38118

Mobile Pantry for Families

Families of Shelby County Schools may pickup a mobile meal at select locations. DRIVE THRU ONLY. No walk-ups. Read More.

View Locations

Cash Assistance

Financial Aid Available for Certain Families That Lost Employment Due to COVID-19

Tips of the Week

How to Make a Face Covering

Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, shares ways to create your own face covering in a few easy steps.

Social Distancing

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.

This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce the introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus.