Coronavirus live blog, May 23: Shelby County reports 100 new cases, one death
Staff members at Christ Community Health Center collect nasal swabs during COVID-19 testing at center's location in Hickory Hill on Tuesday, May 19. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
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May 23, 2020
Shelby County confirms 100 new cases
The Shelby County Health Department has confirmed 100 new cases of COVID-19, in a Saturday morning report.
The figure brings the total of positive cases to 4,183, after Friday’s report of 4,083.
In Shelby County, 1,865 new tests were allocated between Friday and Saturday morning. The rate of positivity of these tests is 5.3%, up from Friday’s rate of 3.5%.
In that time, one new death has been added to the total of individuals in Shelby County who have died with complications of the novel coronavirus, bringing that total to 92.
The health department also confirmed that 2,884 people in the county have recovered from COVID-19.
As of Saturday morning, the Tennessee Department of Health is reporting statewide that 315 people have died from COVID-19, with 19,394 people having tested positive. Statewide, 386,170 tests have been administered.
Local and state coronavirus cases, tests and recoveries
How cases are growing in Shelby County and Tennessee
May 22, 2020
Mississippi cases rise by 402; deaths by 16
Mississippi has 402 more coronavirus cases and 16 more deaths resulting from the disease, according to the state’s Department of Health.
Three of the deaths occurred between May 5-12 and were identified through death certificate reports, according to the agency.
The total is now 12,624 confirmed cases and 596 deaths.
DeSoto County has 442 confirmed cases and six deaths. Fifteen cases and two deaths are linked to long-term care facilities.
Read MoreTesting surges will occur at 201 Poplar, Penal Farm
On 201 Poplar and corrections center: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said detainees “deserve humanity and compassion just like the rest of us.”
He said the county will continue to expand efforts to make prisons and jails safe. They have organized a COVID testing surge at 201 and will do more. They are planning to do a testing surge at the corrections center June 8 in coordination with the state. All there will be offered a test and will take several days to complete tests. They have already limited access to the corrections center, provided free phone calls, while in lockdown and distributed masks. They will keep protections there for the rest of the year and “as long as it takes.”
”We have to be aggressive,” Harris said.
He announced the health department expansion moves forward including city and county funding. They are prepared to hire 141 new employees “singularly devoted” to work on COVID-19 and the health department is recruiting. People can apply on the county government website. Positions include admin staff, strike teams, epidemiologists, nurses, data entry.
Read More
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