COVID-19 vaccines administered more than double in past 2 weeks
From Feb. 20 to March 6, the Shelby County Health Department reported 66,592 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered, compared to 28,705 in the preceding period.
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From Feb. 20 to March 6, the Shelby County Health Department reported 66,592 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered, compared to 28,705 in the preceding period.
City officials hope to vaccinate at least 700,000 people in Shelby County with at least one dose by Aug. 1. A total of 113,793 people have received at least one shot as of Friday, according to the Health Department.
At least 116,660 people in Shelby County have received one COVID-19 vaccine dose; 53,565 people have received both coronavirus vaccine doses, meaning they are fully vaccinated. A total of 170,225 doses have been administered in Shelby County.
The Daily Memphian City Council Scorecard tracks three council decisions this week on major issues including what to do with the 100 North Main Building, a state law that would allow police and firefighters to live outside Shelby County and how, or if, to judge the Health Department as the city takes over vaccine distribution.
Shelby County’s likely survived the worst of COVID-19, though there are two caveats that could alter the trajectory, David Sweat, county health department deputy director, said Thursday.
The Shelby County Health Department announced Wednesday it will move into phase 1c of its coronavirus vaccination plan effective Monday, March 8.
The state Department of Health announced its decision to move into phase 1c Tuesday afternoon, and the Shelby County Health Department expanded eligibility to the same group Wednesday morning.
“It’s time to claw back the power our public health institutions have accumulated this year. That’s the goal of Tennessee House Bill 7,” says guest columnist Daniel Chatham, a Shelby County physician.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said the county will hire a national search firm to field the applications, which are due by the end of this month.
According to the latest Tennessee Department of Health data, just over 10% of the Shelby County population has received at least one coronavirus shot. That compares to more than 12% of the state population.
Going forward, vaccinating the citizens of Shelby County against COVID-19 is under the authority of the City of Memphis after the state transferred custody of the vaccine and administration of the process away from county leaders. It took a dizzying array of missteps for this to occur, and Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright says: “The public deserves to know what happened.” Related story:
County vaccination timeline
From Feb. 1 through last Friday, Feb. 26, the missteps that led to Dr. Alisa Haushalter’s downfall as director of the Shelby County Health Department unfolded day by day.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said the city is confident —along with its other partners like local hospitals — it can currently deliver 40,000 inoculations, both first and second doses, each week. That’s more than double the current average of 10,000 to 15,000 doses administered.
The announcement by County Mayor Lee Harris came three hours after new bombshell revelation from state health officials about the mismanagement of vaccines in Shelby County. It also did little to quell a growing controversy about the leadership of Harris in the controversy.
State Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey says lax management is apparent across Shelby County Health Department.
The council can’t fire Shelby County Health Director Alisa Haushalter, but council member Chase Carlisle will propose the resolution at Tuesday’s council meeting. There could be more calls Friday, when Haushalter and County Mayor Lee Harris speak at a special meeting of the Shelby County Commission.
Let faucets run one at a time, starting on the highest floor first.
LeMoyne-Owen College is helping the Shelby County Health Department better plan and execute coronavirus care.
Offerings include two pop-up locations at local churches. Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 24, teachers, child care providers and people 65 and older are eligible to be vaccinated and may sign up for appointments.
Cases rose over the weekend from low of 42 on Friday.
There have been 104,364 vaccines administered in Shelby County, with 74,619 people receiving at least a first dose, and the remaining 29,745 doses given to people who are now fully vaccinated after receiving a second dose.
Those eligible for phase 1b will be able to make appointments starting Wednesday, Feb. 24. That includes teachers, residents above age 65 and childcare workers.
Overall, a total of 103,633 total doses were administered in Shelby County. At least 74,396 people in Shelby County received one vaccine dose; 29,237 people have received both COVID-19 vaccine doses, according to Health Department data.
People whose appointments were canceled will receive emails to confirm rescheduled times.