Nearly 350 cases added to Shelby County coronavirus total
Christ Community Health Services staff members collect nasal swabs during a walk-up coronavirus testing event on Sept. 17, 2020 at Orange Mound Health Center. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Shelby County Health Department reported the highest number of new coronavirus cases in a week.
The 342 new cases are the most since Oct. 13, when the agency reported 347 new cases. Before last week, Shelby County last saw new coronavirus cases in the 300s in August. On Aug. 8, the Health Department reported 376 new coronavirus cases and, on Aug. 9, the Health Department reported 337 new cases.
In addition to the 342 new cases, the Health Department also reported one additional coronavirus-related death.
The 342 cases come from 5,592 tests, which gives the day a positivity rate of 6.1%.
(Courtesy: Shelby County Health Department)
Shelby County’s reported coronavirus total is now 34,850 cases, including 32,093 recoveries, 2,203 active cases and 554 deaths.
In Shelby County, 517,192 coronavirus tests have been performed; 303,180 people have been tested for coronavirus. The numbers differ because some people have been tested multiple times.
There were 238 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds as of 5 p.m. Monday, per state data; 78 were in intensive care units.
According to the Healthcare Resource Tracking System, 88% of area ICU and 87% of area acute care beds were in use.
About 23% of area ICU patients were either COVID-positive (78) or suspected of having the coronavirus (5). About 9% of area acute care patients were either COVID-positive (160) or suspected of having the virus (31).
And 48 area ICU and area 324 acute care beds were available.
The state’s Department of Health releases statewide coronavirus statistics at 2 p.m. daily.
As of Monday, the agency reported 232,061 coronavirus cases, including 2,922 deaths, 1,188 current hospitalizations and 205,832 recoveries.
About 3.4 million coronavirus tests have been performed in Tennessee.
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coronavirus Shelby County Health Department Tennessee Department of HealthElle 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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