MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County health officials announced they detected a single case of the variant from India as well as some operation changes for the upcoming week in Thursday’s Memphis/Shelby County Joint Task Force meeting.
The individual who tested positive for the strain recently traveled to India and returned with COVID symptoms, health officials said. The person is in isolation.
The variant is known as B-1617. It is believed to be responsible for a recent surge in cases in India.
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Shelby County health officials also announced two changes to their operations next week, including the opening of a new vaccination clinic along Jackson Avenue.
The new walk-in clinic will be located at 3230 Jackson Avenue at the Northgate Shopping Center, and will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. without an appointment. Health care providers at that site will be distributing the Johnson & Johnson shot only.
The site will be allocated roughly 300 doses and that number will be amped up based on demand.
COO Doug McGowen also announced that vaccinations will not take place Sunday at the Pipkin Building due to low demand.
On Thursday, the health department said more than 310,000 people have been vaccinated, more than 99,000 have been partially vaccinated and more than 210,000 have been fully vaccinated.
