More than 10% of Shelby County has received at least one COVID vaccine dose
McKinley Wallace hands out forms to people waiting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine inside the Pipkin Building on Jan. 29, 2021. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
According to the latest Tennessee Department of Health data, just over 10% of the Shelby County population has received at least one coronavirus shot. That compares to more than 12% of the state population.
The Shelby County Health Department reports that, so far, 135,100 doses have been administered locally. The state Department of Health reports 1.37 million doses administered in Tennessee.
At the present time, Shelby County is vaccinating phase 1a1, 1a2, 1b and those aged 65 and up on an appointment-only basis. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 901-222-7468 (SHOT).
People have been able to choose from one of two vaccines with a two-shot series. Over the weekend, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also noted that this vaccine, unlike the Pfizer and Moderna ones, can be simply refrigerated, rather than requiring freezing, making transportation and storage easier.
“This third safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine comes at a potentially pivotal time,” the agency said in a Sunday, Feb. 28 statement. “CDC’s latest data suggest that recent declines in COVID-19 cases may be stalling and potentially leveling off at still very high numbers.”
According to Monday’s coronavirus numbers, cases in Shelby County appeared to be leveling off.
The Shelby County Health Department reported 135 new coronavirus cases and two new coronavirus-related deaths Monday.
Those 135 cases come from 2,124 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 6.4%.
Shelby County’s reported coronavirus total is now 88,111 cases, including 85,360 inactive cases (recoveries), 1,253 active cases and 1,498 deaths.
There were 214 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds as of 5 p.m. Sunday, according to the Tennessee Healthcare Resource Tracking System.
According to the HRTS, 92% of area ICU and 91% of area acute care beds were in use.
About 21% of patients in area ICU beds were COVID-positive (74) or suspected of having the coronavirus (1). About 8% of patients in area acute care beds were either COVID-positive (140) or suspected of having the coronavirus (23).
And 29 area ICU and 203 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 Monday, Tennessee’s reported coronavirus total is 775,693 cases, including 11,421 deaths, 871 current hospitalizations and 763,401 inactive cases (recoveries).
About 6.8 million coronavirus tests have been performed in Tennessee.
Topics
coronavirus coronavirus vaccine Tennessee Department of Health Shelby County Health Department Johnson & JohnsonElle 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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