Some local COVID-19 testing sites will be closed today because of wintry weather. Others will have reduced hours.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 2,661 new cases for Thursday, Jan. 6. 

Shelby County Health Dept. Director Dr. Michelle Taylor told Shelby County commissioners Wednesday, Jan. 5, that state health officials are also watching the strain on hospitals and public health institutions closely. 

Active COVID-19 cases top 22,000.

Dr. Michelle Taylor says Monday’s lower count in new reported COVID cases, “does not represent an actual decrease in viral transmission.”

LeMoyne-Owen College and Christian Brothers University will join Rhodes College in delaying spring semester in-person classes amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

UTHSC students and the general public can receive testing without scheduling an appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

COVID-19 data released Tuesday, Jan. 4, reveals more than 2,600 new cases. 

Rhodes College is altering its plans for the spring semester after consultation with medical experts. The college will keep its Jan. 12 start date for the semester, but classes will begin remotely before transitioning to in-person classes Jan. 31. 

The 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases per day is 1,909.

About 13.5 million 12- to 17-year-olds — just over half that age group — have received two Pfizer shots, according to the CDC.

The Shelby County Health Department reported a new record of 3,394 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, Jan. 2. The health department reports there are a total of 18,970 active cases and 3,657 active pediatric cases.

The Germantown Municipal School District will require students to wear face coverings when they return to class Tuesday. 

At least a couple of venues are reacting to the COVID surge by canceling their New Year’s Eve events, but so far the Beale Street festivities are still on.

New COVID cases for Shelby County came in above 3,000. 

Shelby County Health Department director Michelle Taylor urges masks and self-isolation for anyone experiencing mild symptoms. Residents are asked to avoid emergency rooms unless it’s a true emergency. 

The Tennessee Department of Health is coordinating with Walmart pharmacies to distribute Paxlovid by Pfizer and molnupiravir by Merck. Both drugs will be available for free, but will require a prescription. 

Staffers at local testing sites have been impacted by COVID infections, much like other local workplaces, causing a strain to the system. 

The latest COVID-19 Task Force briefing begins at noon, Thursday, Dec. 30.

The new year comes with a new health directive to permit ‘increased social distancing and to facilitate appropriate quarantine and isolation measures.’

Today’s number of new COVID cases beats the area’s previous high, reported Dec. 27, by more than 700 cases. 

A new drive-thru COVID-19 testing site just opened near the Memphis airport.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 962 new cases as of Wednesday, Dec. 29

Local hospitals and fire departments are met with challenges due to the recent spike in COVID cases. 

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris expects numbers at six public COVID-19 testing locations to remain high going into New Year’s.