The Shelby County Health Department reported 10 new coronavirus-related deaths and nearly 200 new coronavirus cases on Friday, April 23.

FEMA is expected to pack up and leave May 17, taking 21,000 extra doses of the vaccine with it. 

During today’s briefing, area leaders talked about the importance of the next four weeks in the local epidemic.

Shelby County’s reported coronavirus total is now 94,219 cases, including 90,943 inactive cases, 1,676 active cases and 1,600 deaths.

The new cases and tests gave the day a positivity rate of 8.1%.

Demand, even with $20 gift cards, is at one-third of the capacity to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

The number of new coronavirus cases reported today is the lowest it has been in nearly two weeks.

The number of new coronavirus cases in Shelby County on Tuesday, April 20 is the lowest it has been in nearly two weeks.

A U of M researcher combing through hundreds of local samples has found almost double the coronavirus antibodies expected. 

The 152 cases come from 1,967 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 7.7%.

According to Shelby County Health Department, ZIP code 38127 has among the highest coronavirus cases rates in the county, has produced more variant cases than any other ZIP code in the county per 100,000 and is one of the least-vaccinated areas in the county.

A total of 291,556 people have been vaccinated in Shelby County. Of those, 110,942 are partially vaccinated and 180,614 are fully vaccinated. 

Current disease modeling of the U.K. variant, 50% more contagious than the original Wuhan strain of coronavirus, shows Shelby County cases could rise to 300 to 400 a day. This can pose a problem for employers already struggling to fill positions. 

A total of 289,761 people are vaccinated in Shelby County. The number of people partially vaccinated is 112,088, while 177,673 people are fully vaccinated.

The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival and Art in the Loop are planning for thousands over the weekend in distanced events.

The 183 cases come from 3,457 cases, giving the day a positivity rate of 5.3%.

 The goal is to receive commitments for 500 gifts in 24 hours.

If the numbers do not decline, another health directive could be out in two weeks instead of a month, and it likely will not include the ease in masking restrictions Dr. Bruce Randolph alluded to on Tuesday, April 13.

The Shelby County Health Department reported its highest new COVID-19 case total in two months Thursday, April 15.

The new cases yielded an 8.1% positivity rate.

The COVID-19 jail lawsuit has been settled but a recent jail inspection still found some issues at the facility at 201 Poplar. 

Most resistance to getting vaccinated is among rural, white people who identify as conservative, the survey found.

Indoor dancing and buffet lines will be back on Saturday, April 17.

The 148 cases come from 1,609 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 9.2%.

Sarah Petschonek, founder and executive director of Volunteer Odyssey, joins Eric Barnes on this week’s edition of The Sidebar to talk about volunteering changes during the pandemic.