There were nearly 600 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds as of 5 p.m. Monday, according to the Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking System. That’s the high mark of the pandemic. 

The 580 people were split between 155 in intensive care units and 425 in acute care.

According to the HRTS, 93% of area ICU and 89% of area acute care beds were in use.

About 41% of patients in area ICU beds were COVID-positive (155) or suspected of having the coronavirus (8). About 23% of patients in area acute care beds were either COVID-positive (425) or suspected of having the coronavirus (59).

And 30 area ICU and 249 area acute care beds were available.

Bed capacity is calculated by subtracting beds occupied by patients, unstaffed beds and beds that are otherwise unavailable.

The capacity figures are inclusive of all hospital facilities in Shelby, Tipton and Lauderdale counties in Tennessee as well as facilities in Crittenden County, Arkansas, and DeSoto County, Mississippi.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 371 new coronavirus cases and 12 new related deaths on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

Those 371 cases come from 2,142 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 17.3%.

Shelby County’s reported coronavirus total is now 66,084 cases, including 58,445 inactive cases (recoveries), 6,778 active cases and 861 deaths.

The Tennessee Department of Health releases statewide coronavirus figures at 2 p.m. daily.

As of Dec. 28, Tennessee’s reported coronavirus total is 567,792 cases, including 3,712 deaths, 2,983 current hospitalizations and 483,525 inactive cases (recoveries).

About 5.5 million coronavirus tests have been performed in Tennessee.

First responders, brass line up for vaccine in show of force

As of Dec. 25, 53,258 coronavirus vaccines were reported administered in Tennessee, including 0.47% of Shelby Countians who have received their first of two coronavirus vaccine doses. The state plans to update the dashboard on Tuesdays and Fridays.

State dashboard shows number of people vaccinated by county