Memphis-area hospitalizations hit their highest reported number since the pandemic began.

A group of two dozen business owners were critical of the new restrictions, telling county commissioners they will destroy businesses already on the edge. Some argued they are worse than the problems posed by the virus. Meanwhile, the first vaccine shipments could arrive in mid-December.

The Monday commission session also features a move toward a new disparity study in awarding county government contracts and a decision on increasing county funding to the conservancy that operates and maintains Shelby Farms Park on county land.

The latest restrictions when warranted will be crafted by the Health Department and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris as they work with legal experts to enact the health directives countywide.

The mayors of Bartlett and Germantown are pushing Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for a statewide mask mandate. Short of that, they’re working to create a county-by-county mandate among West Tennessee mayors. 

Increased restrictions designed to curb the rising COVID-19 numbers are likely coming soon, mayors were told Thursday.

With $500,000 in federal grant money, the small-scale pilot includes electric vehicle chargers as well as a broader reconsideration of how county government makes the decision of which vehicles to purchase.

Letter from local hospital CEOs calls for residents to take personal responsibility for helping curb a growing surge of coronavirus cases in and around Shelby County.

Health department director Alisa Haushalter and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris react to the wave of confirmed COVID-19 cases, and a bill that could usurp local authority.

Without a statewide mask mandate, leaders across West Tennessee are working to help people understand there is not a rural and urban virus.

The latest hiccup is a higher-than-expected contract for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to run the county’s forensic center for the region, with the county dipping into its reserves for the difference. 

A resolution by Edmund Ford Jr. on setting deadlines and milestones for the county budget season is on the County Commission’s agenda for Monday, Nov. 9. 

Shelby County reported 376 COVID-19 cases after more than 5,000 tests. The newly reported data comes one day after 17 cases were reported. Data entry has not caught up to an IT upgrade Tennessee Department of Health made last weekend.

Health Department asks faith leaders for their help as holidays approach, and church for many, will take center stage.

Facing History and Ourselves, Bridges, Girl Scouts: Heart of the South and the National Civil Rights Museum will participate in a panel discussion at Leadership Memphis’ annual Multicultural Breakfast Nov. 6 that will be held virtually this year. 

In expanded contact tracing interviews the Health Department has done with 704 infected people in the last month, 63% had symptoms but were out shopping, meeting with friends and going to work.

People behind the COVID pressure-valve facilities in Shelby County are ready to go to work if the surge overwhelms hospital capacity.

Mayors are concerned about rising cases, with at least one, Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald, joining the call of local health officials for a statewide mask mandate. 

Data shows transmission happening in suburbs where athletic events are frequent and masks are fewer. 

Budget committee chairman Edmund Ford Jr. amended his resolution to stick with the county’s policy of keeping its financial reserves at 20% of general fund revenues. He has suggested a 15% to 20% guideline.

The commission will vote Oct. 26 on setting new parameters for the spring budget season. And the county’s CFO says it could be dangerous to lower the percentage of reserves on hand. 

The Shelby County unemployment rate is back in single digits for the first time since COVID-19 hit in March, according to the state’s September jobs report.

The County Commission Scorecard tracks the final stand of a set of four police reforms applying to county law enforcement and what may be the last stand of the $5.8 million contract to buy a new voting system for the county.