Coronavirus: Nearly 600 new cases, 8 deaths reported
Colin Burgess, deputy director of the Memphis Fire Department, receives a coronavirus vaccination on Monday, December 28, 2020. Health care and first responders were among the first to receive the vaccine in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Special To The Daily Memphian)
The Shelby County Health Department reported nearly 600 new coronavirus cases and eight new related deaths on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
The agency is vaccinating residents and staff of assisted living and other congregate facilities this week.
No drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination sites are operating.
(Courtesy: Tennessee Department of Health)
As of Jan. 3, the Shelby County Health Department reported that about 9,500 people in Shelby County have received a coronavirus vaccine dose.
As of Jan. 4, the Tennessee Department of Health reported that 1.28% of Shelby Countians have received one of two COVID-19 vaccine doses; 169,070 Tennesseans have received a dose.
For more information, people can call the local COVID-19 hotline at 901-222-MASK (6275).
The local Health Department reported 583 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 71,115 cases, including 62,293 inactive cases (recoveries), 6,869 active cases and 953 deaths.
(Courtesy: Shelby County Health Department)
The 583 cases come from 3,207 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 18.1%.
There were 638 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking System.
According to the HRTS, 94% of area ICU and 93% of area acute care beds were in use.
About 44% of patients in area ICU beds were COVID-positive (170) or suspected of having the coronavirus (5). About 23% of patients in area acute care beds were either COVID-positive (468) or suspected of having the coronavirus (37).
And 26 area ICU and 171 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 Tennessee Department of Health releases statewide coronavirus figures at 2 p.m. daily.
As of Jan. 5, Tennessee’s reported coronavirus total is 617,649 cases, including 7,267 deaths, 3,246 current hospitalizations and 539,207 inactive cases (recoveries).
About 5.7 million coronavirus tests have been performed in Tennessee.
Topics
coronavirus Shelby County Health Department Tennessee Healthcare Resource System Tennessee Department of Health coronavirus vaccineElle Perry
A native Memphian, Elle Perry has earned graduate degrees from the University of Memphis and Maryland Institute College of Art. She’s written for publications including the Memphis Business Journal, Memphis Flyer and High Ground News, and previously served as coordinator of The Teen Appeal.
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