Coronavirus live blog, May 8: Harris: ‘solid progress’ on indicators of success
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said there is “solid progress” on indicators of success, including testing capacity with an “upward trajectory."
Bill Dries
Reporter
Bill Dries covers city government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for more than 40 years.
1110 articles by Bill Dries :
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May 2020
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Coronavirus live blog, April 9: State reports 4,634 cases, 94 deaths
The Tennessee Department of Health puts the Shelby County coronavirus case number at 1,006.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 13: Tennessee up to 5,610 cases, 109 deaths
The state reports 1,331 confirmed cases in Shelby County.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 15: County approves $2.5M for virus expenses
Shelby County Commission has approved spending $2.5 million for coronavirus testing and other expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 16: Lee says economic reopening could focus on low-risk areas
Gov. Bill Lee provides an update on economic recovery for Tennessee.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 17: Grizzlies set up community fund
The fund will be divided into three focus areas: education, food insecurity and support for small businesses and people in the local gig economy.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 20: State’s ‘Safer at Home’ order to end April 30
Bill Lee announced the order for Tennesseans to remain at home will expire April 30, with most businesses in 89 counties, allowed to re-open on May 1. He said he spoke with mayors from the state’s largest urban areas, and noted they will be providing their own outlines for opening.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 22: Tenn. adds 448 cases, largest daily increase so far
Tennessee adds 448 cases, 9 deaths. The increase from yesterday is the state's largest daily rise in cases to date.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 24: Tenn. adds 460 cases, largest daily increase so far
The Tennessee Department of Health reports 2,001 cases in Shelby County.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 28: Watch interview with Shantelle Leatherwood
The CEO of Christ Community Health Services discusses her organization's response to the COVID-19 crisis.
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Coronavirus live blog, April 29: How the 38118 ZIP code became a coronavirus ‘hot spot’
The rate of positive coronavirus tests in 38118 is between 13.1% to 19%. That’s the highest of any ZIP code in Shelby County, according to data from the Shelby County Health Department.
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Coronavirus live blog, May 1: Private prison turns up more than 1,200 cases
On Friday, TDOC confirmed more than 1,246 COVID-19 positive cases, out of 2,450 total tests, among staff and inmates at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Trousdale County.
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Coronavirus live blog, May 6: Shelby County has lowest increase in a month
The health department reported an additional death due to the virus, with the total now at 58. Shelby County has 2,948 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 26 cases from the day prior. That’s the lowest single-day total in a month.
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Coronavirus live blog, May 4: Free testing set for Hickory Hill
Christ Community Health Services is hosting free, drive-thru coronavirus testing from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 at Mendenhall Mall. No appointment is required and those seeking a test do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms.
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Coronavirus live blog, May 7: Shelby County Health Department gives mask wearing how-tos
In today's COVID-19 task force briefing, Jennifer Randle, laboratory supervisor for the Health Department, did a face mask/face covering demonstration.
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Coronavirus live blog: Dental offices, bowling alleys set to reopen
The state has been working with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry to allow dentists to open starting Wednesday, the governor said. Small recreational facilities such as bowling alleys and putt-putt golf can reopen Friday.
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Memphis field hospital impresses state officials
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says the goals of preserving lives and livelihoods has been a difficult balance at times. And Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey says testing statewide is moving toward focusing on clusters and outbreaks of the virus just as local health officials are making the same shift.
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Southaven mayor: Health experts should return to ‘proper roles’ in epidemic
The mayor says it’s time for residents in his community to “come out of our bunker and fight for our way of life again.”
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Surge prediction pushed to summer, broad compliance seen with ‘Back to Business’
Three days into the first round of local business reopenings, there are lots of questions about the specific safeguards businesses are to take.
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Mask requirement clears council on first reading
A proposed city ordinance that would require people to wear a face mask or some face covering in public places within the city cleared the first of three readings Tuesday, May 5, before the Memphis City Council. -
Strickland ‘measured approach’ budget adjustment dips heavily into city reserves, no layoffs or tax increases
Strickland says the city's $113.6 million federal CARES Act grant cannot be used to make up for revenue losses to the city as things stand now, causing a $40 million dip into the city's $78 million reserve fund without raising taxes, laying off employees or raising salaries for city employees.
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MLGW bonds move forward as TVA debate simmers
The council moved $354 million in bonds closer to a summer issuance. But the bonds took a back seat to more maneuvering in the question of whether MLGW should continue its 80-year relationship with TVA. And in the process, it looks like one rival to TVA may have been ruled out.
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Hair care businesses move into first phase of local reopenings
Barber and beauty shops can reopen as early as Wednesday in Shelby County under new health department directives announced Monday.
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Cohen says federal money for local government revenue losses could be in sixth relief bill
In an online press conference Tuesday, Cohen also talked about offering mail-in absentee voting as an option to all in the November presidential general election.
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Strickland plots next steps in city’s tentative pandemic budget
Strickland has three possible options for a city budget proposal in the new fiscal year that starts July 1. Also on the council agenda is the first steps toward a $354 million MLGW bond issue, a resolution calling for no restrictions on absentee voting by mail and an ordinance to require face masks in all public places in the city.
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