MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Good news in the midst of the pandemic — Shelby County COVID-19 numbers are down, and that spike from Labor Day leveled out.
Dr. Alisa Haushalter, director of the county’s health department, said it’s important to not get complacent, so people can get back to work and children can get back to school.
Some of the test kits being issued across the country will arrive in Shelby County.
Health officials said Tuesday they are focusing heavily on enforcement now, after nine complaints this past weekend on facilities ignoring health directive.
They say it’s important for the public to report on facilities that are non-compliant with restrictions on masking and the 10 p.m. closing time. Some places could lose their liquor license.
Health officials even weighed in on how COVID is affecting the crime we are seeing in Memphis, saying there can be correlations between the pandemic and things like drug overdose, suicides, homicides and domestic violence.
“I do think the impact from the pandemic, everything from the stress to the overall emotional stress to fear of what may happen, to people being confined in smaller spaces has impacted a lot of things,” Haushalter said.
She said the greater takeaway is using the energy we have put into COVID to solve other community problems.
“We know there is a lot going on and we know we are going to have to do a lot more if we are going to make it to the other side of this pandemic,” county Mayor Lee Harris said. “And we will do more. We have to do more.”
Health officials said they anticipate we could see a surge in COVID cases next spring with more than 300 hospitalizations a day, but they are hoping we continue to move in the right direction so we won’t have a surge.
Harris provided an update on two programs currently available to help businesses and professionals impacted by the pandemic. Money is still available through the Share The Tab program, which looks to award $10,000 to bars in Shelby County. The money can be used to pay rent, utilities, payroll and any relaunching expenses.
To apply, click here.
Shelby County is also expanding the Our Beautiful ComeBack program. This program awards $500 to Shelby County barbers, beauticians and other close contact professionals. Hundreds of people have applied and been awarded this grant so far, Harris said.
To apply, click here.
Dr. Alisa Haushalter with the Shelby County Health Department said the county has reported more than 31,000 cases of COVID-19, with an increase of just 71 cases since Monday. Approximately 457 deaths have been attributed to coronavirus which represents 1.5 percent of the population.
The ages of those who died range from 13 to 100 with the median age being 73.
The overall trends for COVID-19 cases in the Bluff City is moving downwards. While that’s good news, Haushalter encouraged everyone not to become complacient.
She also said the health department is anticipating a surge locally in March.
