Sunday, the situation was dire enough that Regional One Health diverted trauma cases to other emergency rooms.

Because of the recent spike in Delta variant cases, Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said more vaccine-hesitant people have decided to get vaccinated. 

Order runs through the end of August and may be renewed.

As the start of the school year approaches, Shelby County Schools and surrounding suburban districts are releasing guidelines on how they’ll reopen safely, amid rising COVID-19 cases and uncertainty around the Delta variant.

A week after welcoming the public back to its sessions at City Hall, the Memphis City Council is reinstituting pandemic measures starting with the Tuesday, Aug. 3, committee sessions and the full meeting of the council later in the day.

While many Republican leaders nationwide are now calling more strongly for COVID vaccinations in light of the Delta variant, Tennessee’s leading Republicans have remained more muted.

The next health directive will offer clearer guidance on when and where to mask, but Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said he does not expect additional restrictions or mask mandates at this time.

Watch live as the Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force addresses the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic.

Decision on masking mandate rests with the county mayor’s office. Aside from a tweet endorsing the CDC guidelines Wednesday, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris refused comment.

As of 5 p.m. July 21, there were 162 COVID-19 positive people in area hospital beds.

As the Tigers experienced last season, a COVID outbreak can potentially setback a season.

Arlington and Bartlett school districts have announced safety protocols for the coming year even as they watch changing federal recommendations. 

The change reflects research that shows the vaccinated can transmit the COVID-19 virus to others.

The VA is the first federal agency to mandate vaccines. It applies to employees at the VA Hospital in Memphis. The only other Memphis hospital that mandates vaccinations is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Collierville Schools is also recommending students who are sick stay home.

Memphis hospitals relaxed strict visitation policies, allowing outside ministers to visit patients alongside family. But an uptick in COVID numbers could cause those policies to tighten again.

‘In the general course of a month, Delta went from nothing to just about everything,’ said Richard Webby, an infectious disease expert who works at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Germantown schools provided details of its COVID safety precautions for the coming school year. 

In early 2020, Congress passed a law establishing an eviction moratorium that was to end in summer 2020. But the CDC extended the moratorium at the request of former President Trump.

Tennessee may still immunize 14-18-year-olds under Mature Minor Doctrine but instances are “very nuanced and fringe,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Lisa Piercey.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 259 new coronavirus cases Thursday, July 22. One month ago, the agency reported 14 new cases. Majority are Delta variant.

Legislators seek to clarify stance on vaccinations in wake of national criticism following the firing of vaccine official Dr. Michelle Fiscus.

Masks will be required when the coming SCS school year begins, but field trips, athletics and reopened playgrounds will come back again. 

All expenses, including monthly rent, are eligible to be reimbursed by the federal government.