MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County leaders aren’t giving a reopening date, but they are telling business owners to prepare.
“We are very close,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said. “I would encourage businesses to prepare. If you have inventory, for example, there’s no reason you shouldn’t take steps to make sure you have inventory in place.”
He also encouraged businesses to familiarize themselves with the reopening requirements put out by health officials.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t have concerns about the numbers.
A chart shows Shelby County has enough ICU beds available, but there’s still a yellow dot next to new cases, meaning that number has not leveled off.
Officials also said they’re not testing enough people, even though they could.
“It’s really important we get the message out to the public on the importance of testing,” Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Alisa Haushalter said. “Anyone who has even mild signs and symptoms of COVID should be tested. That’s a little different than the original guidance that was given by me.”
In addition, officials are monitoring especially high case numbers in certain areas like the 38118 zip code and the jail at 201 Poplar.