The deaths of individuals who tested positive for coronavirus during the past two weeks have risen by more than 23%, from 925 to 1,140.

Lakeland officials say they understand the seriousness of the virus, but want better collaboration with the Health Department.

Haushalter: “We are scheduled to receive 8,900 doses in one week; only a portion is coming to public health. We do not have sufficient supply. We have sufficient resources and manpower.”

Early results on who has received vaccine so far in Shelby County and Tennessee show some disparities, with a large percentage of recipients statewide being of “unknown” race, which is a problem, experts say. 

The Daily Memphian tracking of significant County Commission votes marks the first meeting of the year with more than a few looks down the road to the spring budget season.

The Health Department is making notes for rolling out mass COVID-19 vaccinations in other neighborhoods.

Shelby County commissioners will meet in special session next week to vote on a transfer of $300,000 from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office budget to the county attorney’s office.

A proposal by Commissioner Tami Sawyer to require County Commission approval for any sheriff to acquire surplus federal military equipment was postponed.

Republican commissioners said their “no” votes were because of concerns about the use of county reserves to create the $2.5 million fund. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is asking Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to reimburse the county funding with state money.

Through January, the Shelby County Health Department will be vaccinating in a drive-thru line at the Pipkin Building. 

The commission votes Monday, Jan. 11, on a $1.2 million relief fund for restaurant workers. The fund’s fate could point the way toward a greater change in the priorities of county government called for by the Democratic county mayor and majority on the commission.

Variant doesn’t appear to be more virulent but could ramp reproduction rate here from 1.07 to 1.57 and dramatically increase deaths. 

Appointments may be made online, now. People without internet access may call 901-222-SHOT to schedule an appointment beginning Monday at 8 a.m.

Portal will not reduce demand for the shot or scarcity of supply, but is expected to eliminate long lines, disappointment.

The Shelby County Commission votes Monday, Jan. 11, on the proposed $2.5 million fund drawn from county reserves. 

The Health Department expects to double down on enforcement, targeting workplaces associated with spread, including warehouses and other industrial settings.

Even as the COVID-19 vaccine supply in Shelby County remains low, discussion is ongoing about how to ensure when that changes how it’s distributed in an accessible way to all communities countywide.

Related Story: Black community leaders combat distrust in COVID vaccine

Related Story: OPINION: Suburbs deserve vaccine locations too

Each time the Shelby County Health Department announces more locations for vaccination distribution, suburban spots are excluded.

The EDGE board approves more grant money for restaurants and grocers that are affected by the pandemic and the latest restrictions.

Harris took the proposal for grants of $1,000 per qualified worker to commission committee sessions Wednesday, Jan. 6.

COVID-19 is now the third-leading cause of death in Shelby County and has killed five times more people than the 173 who succumbed to complications from influenza in 2019.

Director Alisa Haushalter says the early days of the rollout are going to be bumpy and people will have to make their vaccination plans based on where and to whom the shots are being given that day.

Drive-thru sites were busy all weekend; the Health Department will announce later this week when and where drive-thru sites will reopen. 

Beginning today, funeral workers can begin getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.

From an ongoing budget battle to police reform and new voting machines, these are five critical votes by the Shelby County Commission in 2020 as chronicled in The Daily Memphian’s County Commission Scorecard.