Coronavirus: Shelby County death toll increases by 31
Shelby County Health Department personnel and volunteers administer COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 in the Pipkin Building at Tiger Lane. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
On Thursday, the Shelby County Health Department reported 31 additional coronavirus-related deaths. But, those deaths have dates as wide-ranging as Dec. 2 to Jan. 11, the agency said.
In addition to the newly added fatalities, the Health Department also reported 548 new coronavirus cases, bringing the county total to 76,043 cases, including 67,946 inactive cases (recoveries), 7,004 active cases and 1,093 deaths.
Those 548 cases come from 4,376 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 12.5%.
(Courtesy: Shelby County Health Department)
There were 535 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking System.
According to the HRTS, 95% of area ICU and 92% of area acute care beds were in use.
About 39% of patients in area ICU beds were COVID-positive (148) or suspected of having the coronavirus (7). About 20% of patients in area acute care beds were either COVID-positive (387) or suspected of having the coronavirus (57).
And 22 area ICU and 204 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 daily at 2 p.m.
As of Wednesday, the agency reported 665,499 total coronavirus cases, including 8,148 deaths, 3,029 current hospitalizations and 588,974 inactive cases (recoveries).
About 5.9 million coronavirus tests have been performed in Tennessee.
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coronavirusElle 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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