For perspective, the death toll for first nine months of the pandemic is 821 as of Tuesday, Dec. 22.

The grant is for a project at Belle Forest Community School.

Fund to help service industry workers is created as new Health Directive 16 will put more strain on service industry workers. 

The delay in the final vote on requiring County Commission approval for the sheriff to acquire surplus military hardware came after Sheriff Floyd Bonner complained he hadn’t been consulted. County Mayor Lee Harris disputed that assertion.

Shelby County commissioners voted Monday, Dec. 21, to support a health department directive announced earlier in the day and, in a separate vote, to give the health department the authority to cite and fine business owners for violating the directive.

A revised health directive released Monday, Dec. 21, by the Shelby County Health Department is better than a draft leaked to the media earlier, suburban and county leaders say, but still causes some concerns. Related story: New, restrictive health directive out, effective Dec. 26

The commission is taking final votes on an ordinance that would let Shelby County Health Department levy fines for COVID violations, and a requirement for Shelby County Sheriff’s Department to get commission approval to acquire surplus military equipment and weapons. 

From Dec. 5 to Dec. 19, the Health Department reported an average of 691 new cases and 6,093 test results each day with a 11.3% positivity rate. One hundred thirty-two coronavirus-related deaths have been reported since Dec. 1. That represents 16.4% of all pandemic deaths in Shelby County. 

The 21 deaths reported Saturday range from Nov. 11 to Dec. 15, according to the Health Department. This follows the 23 deaths reported Friday. With the 44 new deaths in the past two days, Shelby County has surpassed the 800 mark. 

Staffer snaps, edits the thrill on her iPhone to snappy “My Shot” from Hamilton. 

The Shelby County Health Department reported 625 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, Dec. 18. 

As the first COVID-19 vaccinations began in Memphis hospitals Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee offered a message of hope that the pandemic’s end is close but also acknowledged the challenges of Tennessee being in the midst of its worst surge yet.

Coming restrictions have to include ways to limit transmission over the coming holidays, health officials say.

The Health Department reported 1,163 new COVID-19 cases and four more coronavirus-related deaths in its daily update Thursday morning.

The ordinance cleared second reading Wednesday at a special commission meeting with seven votes. However, nine votes will be needed to approve the ordinance at Monday’s final vote of the commission.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 779 new COVID-19 cases and four more coronavirus-related deaths in its daily update Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Health Department expects it could be vaccinating EMS workers and nursing home residents and staff by Dec. 28.

Tuesday’s case numbers yielded a 10.6% positivity rate. 

Dr. Robert Redfield was part of a hour-long Zoom yesterday with Dr. Scott Strome, executive dean of the UTHSC College of Medicine. 

Last week’s budget retreat by the Shelby County Commission included word of a $27.5 million deficit and calls for the county to come up with a way to replenish its reserves and avoid short-term borrowing.

Part of the variable is the strain COVID-19 has placed on the funeral industry.

Haushalter: “As a health care provider and particularly as a nurse, I really value people having information to make an informed decision. So, our role collectively is to get information that’s accurate and timely to the public so that people can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.”

The next Shelby County Health Directive, expected soon, will include recommendations that hospitals test employees regularly.

The County Commission Scorecard tracks some specific pandemic votes as well as a call for Medicaid expansion.

A $300,000 grant from International Paper to the Mid-South Food Bank is the first installment in a three-year, $900,000 pledge.