Coronavirus: Metrics, except deaths, decline
National Guard medics collect nasal swabs as hundreds of Memphians line up for COVID-19 testing at the Christ Community testing site in Frayser on April 25, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
The number of COVID-positive patients in area acute care hospital beds reached its lowest number this week since The Daily Memphian began tracking this statistic.
Besides deaths and testing not meeting the previously set 2,400-per-day benchmark, the area’s coronavirus metrics have continued to improve.
The number of COVID-positive patients in area hospitals is 282 as of 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, according to the state’s Healthcare Resource Tracking System. The total number has increased four since the day before, but the number of ICU patients is the same.
About 31% of area ICU patients were either COVID-positive (107) or suspected of having the virus (12). And, about 10% area acute care patients were either COVID-positive (175) or suspected of having the virus (45).
According to the same HRTS data, 86% of ICU beds and 92% of acute care beds were in use at area hospitals. The day prior the percentages were 87% of ICU beds and 92% of acute care beds.
According to the state’s HRTS, there were 63 ICU beds and 210 acute care beds available in area hospitals.
The Shelby County Health Department reported 147 new coronavirus cases and six new related deaths on Friday, Aug. 21.
Those 147 new cases come from 1,353 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 10.9%.
Shelby County’s reported total is now 25,811 coronavirus cases, including 346 deaths, 22,204 recoveries and 3,261 active cases.
Tennessee Department of Health reports statewide coronavirus figures at 2 p.m. daily.
As of Thursday, Aug. 19, the agency reported 139,175 coronavirus cases, including 1,488 deaths, 6,156 hospitalizations and 100,967 recoveries.
More than 1.9 million coronavirus tests have been administered in Tennessee.
Editor’s Note: The Daily Memphian is making our coronavirus coverage accessible to all readers — no subscription needed. Our journalists continue to work around the clock to provide you with the extensive coverage you need; if you can subscribe, please do.
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coronavirus Shelby County Health Department Tennessee Department of Health Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking SystemElle Perry
A native Memphian, Elle Perry has earned graduate degrees from the University of Memphis and Maryland Institute College of Art. She’s written for publications including the Memphis Business Journal, Memphis Flyer and High Ground News, and previously served as coordinator of The Teen Appeal.
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