MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Health Department reported 256 COVID-19 cases Monday, the largest increase in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic.
The department announced Monday at 2 p.m. that the move into Phase 3 of reopening would be delayed due to the increase in cases.
Data showed there was an upward trend in cases that was beyond a sporadic spike that could be attributed to a single event or holiday, said Dr. Alisa Haushalter, director of the health department.
The county needs to see a downward trend, or at least a leveling-off, of cases for 14 days before moving into Phase 3 of the Back To Business Plan, Haushalter said.
The delay also means that Riverside Drive, which was slated to be reopened to vehicular traffic during the week, will remain closed except to pedestrians, a city spokesperson said.
Last week, local officials agreed that the county would move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 on Monday — provided that nothing unforeseen happened to drive up the number of cases.
On Monday, the number of coronavirus cases was up to 6,892, which was up 256 cases from the previous day. Of those, 139 people have died, 4,744 (68 percent) recovered and 2,009 are battling the virus.
Approximately 98,105 tests have been performed in Shelby County to date.
Related: Coronavirus case count
There was some initial confusion about if the county would move into Phase Three.
For several days local leaders said they would make an announcement about Phase Three on Monday, June 15. In a news release Monday, the health department said “Shelby County remains in Phase II of the Back-to-Business plan.”
WREG reported this information and afterwards the health department came back and clarified saying a decision had not been made. An official announcement is expected sometime later today.
“To continue to move forward with reopening, we must all do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, workplaces and homes,” the agency said in a prepared statement.
They released the following guidelines for residents:
- Practicing social distancing – keeping at least six feet away from others
- Wearing a mask or facial covering while in public, at work, or around persons from outside of your household
- Washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds
- Getting tested – we have significant testing capacity in Shelby County, but it is being under utilized
- Isolating and quarantining – isolating when positive for COVID-19 and quarantining after exposure to COVID-19
- Protecting our most vulnerable populations:
- Nursing/care home residents
- Seniors
- Individuals who live in congregate settings such as jails or prisons
- Individuals with chronic health conditions
Phase Three will allow most businesses to operate at 75 percent of their normal capacity. The move also will allow social gatherings of more than 50 people as long as everyone practices social distancing.