Shelby County children as young as 12 were starting to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on Thursday, May 13.

On Thursday, May 13, the Shelby County Health Department reported 143 new coronavirus cases and three new coronavirus-related deaths.

After two days with fewer than 100 new coronavirus cases reported in Shelby County, the number is more than 100 again.

Local health officer Dr. Bruce Randolph has said that the new rules will allow people to vote with their feet.

The area’s seven-day moving average stands at 129. 

Restaurateurs aren’t happy with a new health directive that suggests people wear masks but puts the burden of the decision on them.

In some ZIP codes, vaccination rates are less than half the rates in other parts of Shelby County.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says he’s found nothing to validate accusations that doses of vaccine were lost, stolen or misused when the county Health Department controlled distribution. 

The mask mandate will be lifted in the new health directive, beginning Saturday, May 15.

The Shelby County Health Department reported fewer than 80 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, May 11. 

The day’s positivity rate was also less than 2%. 

Shots could begin as soon as a federal vaccine advisory committee issues recommendations for using the two-dose vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds, expected Wednesday.

There were 217 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds, as of May 5.

FDA advisory committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, May 12. 

A total of 323,959 people are vaccinated in Shelby County. The number of people partially vaccinated is 89,133, while 234,826 people are fully vaccinated.

Shelby County’s reported coronavirus total is now 96,512 cases, including 93,321 inactive cases,1,562 active cases and 1,629 deaths.

No new coronavirus-related deaths were reported.

The City of Memphis is ready now to set up phone banks, dispatch street teams. 

The Shelby County Health Department reported five new coronavirus-related deaths and 171 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, May 6.

The 171 cases come from 2,662 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 6.4%.

Members of the Indian immigrant community send planeload of oxygen concentrators, other aid to help pandemic-plagued nation.

The 106 cases come from 1,437 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 7.4%.

“There is a lot of talk about we won’t get herd immunity. It depends on the definition of what you describe.”

Mayor Harris is gathering more advice this week, including hearing from the municipal mayors. 

The sweepstakes is open to any Shelby County resident who has received any coronavirus immunization, including those who have only received one shot.