Category: Announcements

In last week’s The Tennessee Journal (a weekly newsletter on Tennessee government, politics, and business) there was a quote from the Cleveland, TN Mayor on wearing masks. He said, “I am a rule follower. I am a hand-washer. I am a hand-sanitizer. I am a social distancer. Alone, these actions were not enough. We also need to add wearing masks in public areas.”

He made this public statement after recently being diagnosed with COVID-19. His words serve as a very simple reminder that by wearing a mask you’re helping protect the people around you as well as yourself.

To see Cleveland, TN Mayor Kevin Brooks full statement, go here.

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: July 13, 2020

COVID-19 Cases
Shelby County Cases	13,855
New Cases Today	153
Deaths	222
Total Tested in Shelby County	155,836
Tennessee Total Cases	61,960 *As of 2:00 p.m. 7/12/20
Other Jurisdictions
Tipton County, TN	698
Desoto County, MS	1,959
Crittenden County, AR	841
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 7/13/2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case.

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

Here is the latest testing data from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time, as of July 12, 2020. 

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are under Safer at Home orders. Some non-essential businesses, including bars and some limited service restaurants have been ordered to close, under Health Directive No. 8, which went into effect at midnight on July 8, 2020.
Health Directive No. 8 also orders all restaurants in Shelby County to close no later than 10:00 p.m. each night, beginning July 9, 2020.

Health Directive No. 8 can be viewed here:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.

As I’ve mentioned to you before, the number of COVID-19 infected patients in our hospitals are continuing to rise. Six weeks ago on May 23rd as you will see in the chart below, we had 125 people hospitalized due to COVID-19. On July 4th, that number had risen to 282.

Our number of patients in ICU are also continuing to rise. On May 23rd, there were 53 patients in our ICU’s across Shelby County. By July 4th, that number had risen to 106.

As you see in the chart below, we have a total of 2,636 acute care beds under normal circumstances with 2,255 of those beds in use and 477 intensive care units under normal circumstances with 412 in use. If needed, the hospitals, can the hospital can surge to 3,184 acute care beds and 711 intensive care units.

Compliance

On July 7^th, we received an additional 50 mask complaints and issued 12 warnings for mask ordinance violations. To submit your complaint, please call 311.

To view the mask ordinance and Shelby County Health Directive, click below:

Mask Ordinance

Shelby County Health Directive No. 8

Data points

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: July 8, 2020

COVID-19 Cases
Shelby County Cases	12,467
New Cases Today	302
Deaths	201
Total Tested in Shelby County	145,679
Tennessee Total Cases	53,514 *As of 2:00 p.m. 7/7/20
Other Jurisdictions
Tipton County, TN	653
Desoto County, MS	1,724
Crittenden County, AR	786
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 7/8/2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case.

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

Here is the latest testing data from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time, as of July 7, 2020. 

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are strongly encouraged to stay at home and minimize in-person contact with people not in the same household, except when engaging in essential activities such as employment or exercise or other activities outlined in the Directive. Some non-essential businesses, including bars/limited service restaurants have been ordered to close, under Health Directive No. 8, which goes into effect at midnight on July 8, 2020. Health Directive No. 8 also orders all restaurants in Shelby County to close no later than 10:00 p.m. each night, starting July 9, 2020. Health Directive No. 8 can be viewed here:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about Health Directive No. 8 or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov

As more and more people are going back to work, we received one particular question over and over “I tested positive for COVID-19. When is it ok for me to be around others and go back to work?”.

You’re in luck. The CDC has specific guidance on this situation. You can be with others after:

• 3 days with no fever and
• Respiratory symptoms have improved (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) and
• 10 days since symptoms first appeared

For more guidance on other possible scenarios and answers to questions you might have, you can view the CDC guidance here.

Shelby County Health Directive

As I mentioned to you yesterday, the Shelby County Health Department issued today a new health directive. Beginning tomorrow at midnight, bars will be closed for business until further notice. Restaurants can remain open, but will be required to close daily at 10 p.m. For more information on the new directive, please visit the Shelby County Health Department website.

Mask Ordinance reminder

As you know by now, there is a mask ordinance within the Memphis City limits. Please familiarize yourself with it. Click the image below to do so.

Compliance

Yesterday, we received an additional 36 complaints for mask ordinance violations. To submit your complaint, please call 311.

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: July 7, 2020

COVID-19 Cases
Shelby County Cases	12,165
New Cases Today	146
Deaths	200
Total Tested in Shelby County	143,329
Tennessee Total Cases	52,155 *As of 2:00 p.m. 7/6/20
Other Jurisdictions:
Tipton County, TN	649
Desoto County, MS	1,620
Crittenden County, AR	783
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 7/7/2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case.

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

Here is the latest testing data from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time, as of July 6, 2020. 

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

On July 3, 2020, The Shelby County Health Department issued a Health Order and Directive Regarding Masks and Cloth Face Coverings, which may be viewed at www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives. The Order and Directive requires the use of masks or cloth facial coverings in most public settings by all persons in Shelby County with the exceptions of children age two or younger and persons who cannot tolerate facial coverings because of certain medical conditions.

The masks may be picked up, while supplies last, at all Shelby County Health Department locations listed below during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the exception of the Collierville clinic, which is open Tuesday and Thursday only. No appointment is needed to pick up a mask. 

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

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

8225 Highway 51 North, 38053

Shelby Crossing Public Health Clinic

6170 Macon Road, 38133

Southland Mall Public Health Clinic

1287 Southland Mall, 38116

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are under Safer at Home orders. Some non-essential businesses may reopen under the guidance of Shelby County Health Directive #7, which can be viewed here:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.

Mayor Strickland has extended the State of Emergency. Click here to read the executive order. 

More than two months ago, Governor Lee ordered that the Shelby County Health Department would have sole authority over Safer at Home restrictions and Back-to- Business regulations.  As was mentioned going into the holiday weekend with new cases and hospitalizations on the rise, there is potential for the Shelby County Health Department to tighten some of the Phase 2 restrictions, particularly dealing with bars. All of the Health Departments decisions are based on expert medical opinions—their own, plus those at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and others in private practice.

As a reminder, all Back-to-Business information is housed with, and questions should be submitted to, the Shelby County Health Department. All pertinent information is located on their Health Directives page, and is the platform to submit questions or submit your business plans for review. To check out their page, go here. If you’re a business and have questions, you can send them to covid@shelbycountytn.gov.   

Mask Compliance

Over the holiday weekend through this morning, we received 115 complaints for mask ordinance violations and Back to Business violations. To submit your complaint, please call 311.

Data points

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: July 6, 2020

COVID-19 Cases
Shelby County Cases	12,019
New Cases Today	190
Deaths	200
Total Tested in Shelby County	142,416
Tennessee Total Cases	51,431 *As of 2:00 p.m. 7/5/20
Other Jurisdictions:
Tipton County, TN	645
Desoto County, MS	1,594
Crittenden County, AR	766
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 7/6/2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case.

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

Here is the latest testing data from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time, as of July 4, 2020. 

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

On July 3, 2020, The Shelby County Health Department issued a Health Order and Directive Regarding Masks and Cloth Face Coverings, which may be viewed at www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives. The Order and Directive requires the use of masks or cloth facial coverings in most public settings by all persons in Shelby County with the exceptions of children age two or younger and persons who cannot tolerate facial coverings because of certain medical conditions.

The masks may be picked up, while supplies last, at all Shelby County Health Department locations listed below during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the exception of the Collierville clinic, which is open Tuesday and Thursday only. No appointment is needed to pick up a mask. 

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

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

8225 Highway 51 North, 38053

Shelby Crossing Public Health Clinic

6170 Macon Road, 38133

Southland Mall Public Health Clinic

1287 Southland Mall, 38116

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are under Safer at Home orders. Some non-essential businesses may reopen under the guidance of Shelby County Health Directive #7, which can be viewed here:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.

Ordinance No. 5751, or the “Mask Ordinance,” is now in effect. It establishes the following requirements for businesses:

1. Essential and Non-Essential Businesses must require its employees, contractors, and volunteers to wear facial coverings.  A facial covering is not required when a person is alone in a space that is not regularly visited by the public.  

2. Essential Businesses and Non-Essential Businesses are required to post signs (see below) to remind customers to wear masks while inside or waiting to enter a business.

3. Essential Businesses are required to take all reasonable steps to prohibit a customer who is not wearing a facial covering from entering the business. 

4. Essential Businesses are prohibited from serving customers who are not wearing facial coverings.

Businesses are subject to a monetary penalty for failing to comply with the facial covering requirements set forth in the Mask Ordinance. A citation will be issued to a business after its 3rd warning for violation of the Mask Ordinance.

Businesses should review the Mask Ordinance regarding definitions, exemptions and other details

Essential Businesses include:

• Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores, Farmer’s Markets
• Food Cultivation
• Banks
• Restaurants
• Media
• Gas Stations
• Auto Supply/Auto Repair (including bicycles)
• Laundromats, Dry Cleaners, and Laundry Services
• Employment/Staffing Services
• Moving Services

• Hardware Stores
• Mailing and Shipping
• Educational Institutions
• Childcare 
• Transportation (airlines, taxis, rideshare, rental cars, etc.)
• Professional Services (legal, accounting, notary, etc.)
• Utilities
• Businesses w/ primary function of shipping and delivering good directly to homes or businesses
• Telecommunication Systems

• Service Providers for Residences and Businesses (plumbers, electricians, landscaping, etc.)
• Health Operations
• Construction
• Shelters/Other Social Services
• Home-Based Care
• Residential Facilities
• Funeral/Burial Services 
• Solid Waste
• Businesses Supplying Essential Businesses 

Non-Essential Businesses are defined as retail stores with a physical location not otherwise covered by the Ordinance (such as clothing stores, beauty supply stores, etc.) with at least 10 employees working.  

In addition to the Mask Ordinance, businesses are required to adhere to the general safety protocols and industry-specific requirements set forth in the Health Directive issued by the Shelby County Health Department. 

Latest Information:

Earlier today, we received more outside validation that wearing a mask or facial covering in public works and is worth the trouble of wearing. Jonathan Mermin, Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, and a a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service was in Memphis today commending our efforts so far, but also, expressing his concern at our recent trends as we move into the holiday weekend.

His words are further proof of a simple ask—please wear a mask if you’re out. I know it’s summer time in Memphis, and it may be an inconvenience to you, but it will slow the spread, and in turn, save lives. If you’re not wearing one, you also run the risk of receiving a citation due to the recent passage of our city-wide mask ordinance.

If you need a mask, you can get one here.

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: July 2, 2020

COVID-19 Cases
Shelby County Cases	10,602
Deaths	192
Total Tested in Shelby County	131,996
Tennessee Total Cases	45,315 *As of 2:00 p.m. 7/1/20
Other Jurisdictions:
Tipton County, TN	611
Desoto County, MS	1373
Crittenden County, AR	749
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 7/2/2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case.

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

Here is the latest testing data from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time, as of June 30, 2020. 

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

It is very important that all Shelby County residents take care during the upcoming July 4^th holiday weekend to prevent further community spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• High risk members of the community, including senior citizens and people of any age group who suffer from chronic diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or other lung conditions, should be especially aware of their risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and should avoid gatherings where they cannot appropriately social distance.
• Large community gatherings should be cancelled or postponed.
• Small outdoor gatherings where attendees are spaced at least 6 feet apart are safer than indoor gatherings. Masks or facial coverings should be worn at any gathering of persons who do not live in the same household.

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are under Safer at Home orders. Some non-essential businesses may reopen under the guidance of Shelby County Health Directive #7, which can be viewed here:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.

Recently, I mentioned how much testing Tennessee and Shelby County are doing relative to other parts of the country. As you can see in the chart below, we’ve performed close to 130,000 tests through June, and we’re going to do even more.

Dr. Jain, an infectious disease specialist and contracted medical advisor for the City of Memphis, as well as other medical professionals around the country like Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx, are increasingly becoming more supportive of a testing process known as pooling. This method combines multiple patient samples and runs the test of all the samples together. If the result is negative, all samples are cleared. If they come back positive, each pooled sample would then be run individually to determine which may be positive.

The reason this type of testing is attractive is because it can be more efficient, both from a cost standpoint and timing. It also allows for testing of multiple samples at the same time which, as we look at schools and universities potentially opening back up later this year, will be a very useful tool.

Here locally, we are already piloting this style of testing with promising results. As we progress and the need for more and rapid testing occurs, we plan on using the pooling method to help us meet the demand.

Data points:

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: July 1, 2020

COVID-19 Cases
Shelby County Cases	10,208
Deaths	192
Total Tested in Shelby County	128,832
Tennessee Total Cases	43,509 *As of 2:00 p.m. 6/30/20
Other Jurisdictions:
Tipton County, TN	607
Desoto County, MS	1311
Crittenden County, AR	746
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 7/1/2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case.

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

Here is the latest testing data from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time, as of June 30, 2020. 

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

It is very important that all Shelby County residents take care during the upcoming July 4^th holiday weekend to prevent further community spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• High risk members of the community, including senior citizens and people of any age group who suffer from chronic diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or other lung conditions, should be especially aware of their risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and should avoid gatherings where they cannot appropriately social distance.
• Large community gatherings should be cancelled or postponed.
• Small outdoor gatherings where attendees are spaced at least 6 feet apart are safer than indoor gatherings. Masks or facial coverings should be worn at any gathering of persons who do not live in the same household.

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are under Safer at Home orders. Some non-essential businesses may reopen under the guidance of Shelby County Health Directive #7, which can be viewed here:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.

As I mentioned to you on Sunday, the number of COVID-19 infected patients in our hospitals is rising. Six weeks ago on May 18th as you can see in the chart below, we had 101 people hospitalized due to COVID-19. On June 27^th, that number had risen to 217.

Our number of patients in ICU has also risen. On May 18^th, there 45 patients in our ICU’s across Shelby County. By June 27^th, that number had risen to 96.

As it stands right now, our hospitals are able to handle the number of sick patients, COVID-19 and others, coming in to see them. We have a total of 2,613 acute care beds under normal circumstances with 2,238 of those beds in use and 480 intensive care units under normal circumstances with 393 in use. If needed, the hospitals, can the hospital can surge to 3,184 acute care beds and 711 intensive care units.

I’m pointing all these data points out to stress that the virus is real, and it is spreading. We’re seeing it in our new case numbers, and even worse, we’re seeing it in our hospitals.

We can control the spread, but that choice is up to you. Please cover you face in public, wash your hands often, and stay home if you’re sick.

Mask Compliance Update: We’ve had several requests regarding compliance with the recently passed mask ordinance. Since yesterday, we’ve had 22 reports of noncompliance. Nine complaints were from customers not wearing masks, three complaints for employees of a business not wearing a mask, and 10 complaints of both employees and customers not wearing masks.

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: June 30, 2020

COVID-19 Cases
Shelby County Cases	9904
Deaths	185
Total Tested in Shelby County	126,623
Tennessee Total Cases	42,297 *As of 2:00 p.m. 6/29/20
Other Jurisdictions:
Tipton County, TN	605
Desoto County, MS	1293
Crittenden County, AR	737
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 6/30/2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case.

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

Here is the latest testing data from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time, as of June 29, 2020. 

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

It is very important that all Shelby County residents take care during the upcoming July 4^th holiday weekend to prevent further community spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• High risk members of the community, including senior citizens and people of any age group who suffer from chronic diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or other lung conditions, should be especially aware of their risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and should avoid gatherings where they cannot appropriately social distance.
• Large community gatherings should be cancelled or postponed.
• Small outdoor gatherings where attendees are spaced at least 6 feet apart are safer than indoor gatherings. Masks or facial coverings should be worn at any gathering of persons who do not live in the same household.

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are under Safer at Home orders. Some non-essential businesses may reopen under the guidance of Shelby County Health Directive #7, which can be viewed here:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.