Coronavirus: Area sees fifth consecutive day of 200+ new cases
Christ Community Health Services staff members collect nasal swabs during at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2020 on Lamar Avenue. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Every day this week, the Shelby County Health Department has reported at least 200 new coronavirus cases. But Thursday, Oct. 22, is actually the lowest in the past five days, with the area gaining only 202 new cases.
The agency reported no new coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday.
The 202 newly reported cases come from 2,809 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 7.2%.
(Courtesy: Shelby County Health Department)
In Shelby County, 521,995 coronavirus tests have been performed; 305,708 people have been tested for coronavirus. The numbers differ because some people have been tested multiple times.
Shelby County’s reported coronavirus total is now 35,279 cases, including 32,454 recoveries, 2,269 active cases and 556 deaths.
There were 245 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds, as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, per state data; 73 were in intensive care units.
According to the Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking System, 94% of area ICU and 89% of area acute care beds were in use. Percentages over 90 are considered in the “red” on the tracking system.
About 19% of area ICU patients were either COVID-positive (73) or suspected of having the coronavirus (2). About 9% of area acute care patients were either COVID-positive (172) or suspected of having the virus (17).
And 27 area ICU and 262 area acute care beds were available.
The Tennessee Department of Health reports statewide coronavirus figures at 2 p.m. daily.
As of Wednesday, the agency reported 235,861 coronavirus cases, including 2,970 deaths, 1,246 current hospitalizations and 210,243 recoveries.
About 3.4 million coronavirus tests have been performed in Tennessee.
Topics
coronavirus Shelby County Health Department Tennessee Department of Health Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking SystemElle Perry
A native Memphian, Elle Perry has earned graduate degrees from the University of Memphis and Maryland Institute College of Art. She’s written for publications including the Memphis Business Journal, Memphis Flyer and High Ground News, and previously served as coordinator of The Teen Appeal.
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