MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Health Department reported an additional 700 cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
According to the latest data, the county has 14,555 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Tuesday with 223 deaths.
“It’s a signal to all of us we are not out of the woods yet by any stretch,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said.
It’s the largest number reported in a single day, but Dr. Alisa Haushalter with the health department said the increase is due to delays in reporting.
“It can be very disconcerting to anyone who hears that number. However, I want to point that those are tests that were taken over a variety of different days,” Haushalter said.
The county reports that 9,435 people have recovered and 4,897 are currently battling the virus. More than 161,000 tests have been performed in Shelby County to date.
About 89% of local hospital beds are being used for acute care and about 85% are intensive care beds.
“We want to be able to provide care to individuals for treatment of COVID, but we also need to be able to provide treatment to others who suffer other illnesses, including heart attacks and trauma,” Haushalter said.
To slow the spread, the health department implemented a mask directive, closed bars and restricted the hours of restaurants. If the COVID cases continue to rise, the mayor warns Beale Street could be next.
At least two other Tennessee metro areas reported their largest daily case numbers to date Tuesday. Davidson County, home to Nashville, reported 771 news cases and Knox County, home to Knoxville, reported 118.