Coronavirus: Fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases reported
Germantown School Board member Angela Griffith receives a vaccine from registered nurse Alison Herrington at Germantown Baptist Church March 5, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
The Shelby County Health Department reported fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases Friday, but reported five new related deaths.
The 41 new cases come from 1,445 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 2.8%.
According to the latest Shelby County Health Department data, 164,760 people in Shelby County have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose; 69,277 people have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses. And 234,037 total doses have been administered in Shelby County.
On Thursday, the Shelby County Health Department announced that people age 55 and older, as well as those in Phase 2a/b, which includes those employed in critical infrastructure, can now be vaccinated.
New vaccine appointment slots were opened Friday morning. People can also schedule an appointment by calling 901-222-SHOT (7468). Click here to schedule a vaccination for a homebound person.
Shelby County’s reported coronavirus total is now 89,960 cases, including 87,444 inactive cases (recoveries), 972 active cases and 1,544 deaths.
There were 134 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds as of 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking System.
According to the HRTS, 87% of area ICU and 88% of area acute care beds were in use.
About 15% of patients in area ICU beds were COVID-positive (44) or suspected of having the coronavirus (6). About 5% of patients in area acute care beds were either COVID-positive (88) or suspected of having the coronavirus (26).
And 49 area ICU and 276 area acute care beds were available.
Bed capacity is calculated by subtracting beds occupied by patients, unstaffed beds and beds that are otherwise unavailable.
The capacity figures are inclusive of all hospital facilities in Shelby, Tipton and Lauderdale counties in Tennessee as well as facilities in Crittenden County, Arkansas, and DeSoto County,
The Tennessee Department of Health releases statewide coronavirus figures at 2 p.m. daily.
As of Thursday, March 18, Tennessee’s reported coronavirus total is 796,624 cases, including 11,681 deaths, 661current hospitalizations and 772,655 inactive cases (recoveries).
About 7 million coronavirus tests have been performed in Tennessee.
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coronavirus COVID 19 cases city of Memphis Shelby County Health DeparatmentAllyson Brown
After living in Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, California and Ohio, Allyson is happy to be home in Memphis. If you take a look by the Houston High School track, you can still catch her name on the leader board. She likes good food, music and sports. If you have a suggestion about one or the other, send it her way. Also, she’s happy to hear your story ideas.