MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Health Department confirmed new cases of the coronavirus on Monday.
As of March 23, 80 Shelby County residents have tested positive along with four others who live outside of the county. There are roughly 100 people currently being monitored by local health officials.
Officials said the increase is not unexpected as testing by the state and private laboratories increases.
Recommendations for Shelby County residents:
- Stay at home. It is safer to stay at home. Leave home for essential activities only, such as going to work if you are considered essential personnel, the grocery store or pharmacy.
- While Shelby County School students and many others are out of school, keep children home and plan home-based activities.
- Avoid handshakes and close contact with others whenever possible.
- Cancel or postpone gatherings of 10 or more people. Instead of visiting friends or relatives, call or video chat.
- Children and adults may exercise outdoors, while maintaining at least six feet of distance from others.
- Do not go to work or go out in public if you are sick, especially with fever, muscle aches/pains, cough or other respiratory symptoms.
- Avoid all non-essential travel. Re-evaluate travel plans. It is strongly recommended to avoid any unnecessary travel. If traveling overseas, check the CDC’s travel advisory website, which is updated daily: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel. If traveling within the U.S., avoid destinations where COVID-19 has been reported: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html
- Avoid non-essential flights. Traveling by private vehicle limits exposure to other people.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Scrub dirt under fingernails with a brush and soap.
- Practice respiratory etiquette by using a tissue if coughing or sneezing, then throwing the tissue away and washing your hands.
- Sanitize surfaces that are frequently touched by many people with anti-bacterial wipes or diluted bleach solution, or other FDA-approved cleaning products: https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf.