MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Shelby County Health Department is issuing a new directive that orders the isolation of coronavirus patients.
The measure is being taken as the number of infections and deaths continues to rise.
The letter is going to local doctors Thursday night ordering attending physicians to notify the head of household the infected patient must go into isolation and remain there until they’re released by the county health department.
The isolation period will reportedly end after 10 days if “the person’s symptoms are resolve and they are without fever for 24 hours.” The directive states patients do not need to be retested after they have completed the isolation period.
The directive also states only physicians, “or other person/or persons duly authorized by applicable state law,” can establish or remove a quarantine or isolation.
This is a new, more aggressive approach to fighting the virus.
The Shelby County Health Department reported 49,631 cases Thursday, an increase of 368 cases. Health officials say the current seven-day average of new cases in the county is 471 per day.
