The Shelby County Health Department reported 23 coronavirus-related deaths in its daily update Friday, Dec. 18.

That means 111 people have died in December from causes attributed to coronavirus with 13 days left this month.

The Health Department also reported 625 new COVID-19 cases Friday as the Thanksgiving surge continues. While it’s the lowest daily increase for seven days, it also continues a trend of seven consecutive days of at least 600 cases a day.

The 625 coronavirus cases reported Friday came from 4,287 test results, yielding an 14.6% positivity rate. Test results, however, are not reflective of the previous 24-hour period and include tests over multiple days.

Since March, the Health Department has reported 59,387 total coronavirus cases and 783 deaths, classifying 52,555 cases as inactive/recovered.

Active cases in Shelby County stand at 6,049, an increase of five from the 6,044 reported Thursday.

Since March, a total of 761,869 coronavirus tests have been performed in Shelby County, yielding an 9% positivity rate.

There were 551 COVID-19 patients in Memphis area hospitals as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to Tennessee’s Healthcare Resource Tracking System. There was no new update from the Health Department on hospital capacity Friday. 

Of the 551 people hospitalized, 387 are in acute care beds, with 164 in intensive care unit beds.

Hospital capacity for acute care beds is at 95% use, and ICU beds are at 97% occupancy.

Those who are COVID-positive or suspected of having the virus represent 20% of acute care patients and 40% of ICU patients.