Coronavirus in Memphis: 1,537 cases in Tennessee, 362 in Shelby County

This story was last updated: Sunday, March 29 at 2:13 p.m.

By the numbers: Statewide in Tennessee, as of Sunday afternoon, the number of cases went up from 1,373 to 1,537 cases, with seven deaths and 133 total hospitalizations, according to the state's department of health.

The highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among all the state's counties was in Shelby County, where the count had risen to 362, the Shelby County Health Department reported Sunday morning.

That's an increase from 275 cases the previous day, and a dramatic increase from only three weeks earlier, Sunday, March 8, when officials confirmed the first novel coronavirus case in the county. The increased case count likely reflects both spread of the virus in the community as well as significantly increased testing. 

"As I’ve been saying for several days now, once more widespread testing becomes available— we will see more positive cases of the virus," Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland wrote in a message Sunday. "That’s what today’s new number of cases shows. . . We are going to see more positive cases, and I just want you to be prepared for that in the days ahead."

A total of 3,715 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Shelby County: of those, 362 tested positive, 3,352 tested negative, Strickland said. That's a positive rate of about 11 percent.

The first death in Shelby County was reported Saturday. 

“This is another sign of the seriousness of the novel coronavirus," Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said in a statement released by the health department Sunday. "That’s why we are ramping up testing capacity, encouraging employers to offer more alternative work solutions, and asking the public to limit nonessential activity.”

And just across the state line in DeSoto County, Mississippi, the first death was also reported Saturday. Statewide, Mississippi has seen 663 cases and 13 deaths as of Saturday, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. 

Here are the latest updates from around the Memphis area:

Vulnerable people should wear face masks, and anyone else can consider wearing one, too, says city's task force

A coalition of local governments has issued a statement saying that vulnerable people should wear face masks in public — particularly if they're sick or if they are elderly, have medical problems or a weak immune system.

The statement was attributed to the Joint COVID-19 Task Force, a coalition of local governments, hospitals and other agencies, and was released by the office of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

The statement goes on to say that there's no strong evidence that other members of the public should wear face masks in public - but if people would like to wear masks, they should go ahead and consider it.

Click here to read more. 

Memphis-based manufacturer donates 14,000 masks to local workers

Radians, a manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment, donated more than 14,000 N95 masks to help first responders and healthcare workers in Memphis, according to a release.

The company began making the masks in 2018, according to the release.

"We knew that adding N95 respirators to our portfolio was important,” Radians President Bill England said in the release, “but with the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become a critical PPE item to help protect those with the highest risk of exposure. We’re happy that Radians is able to make this donation in our hometown ...”

Radians has facilities across the world but is headquartered in Memphis.

Face masks, including the N95 masks that provide more protection than loose-fitting surgical masks, are becoming scarcer, subject to increasing demand and even facing price gouging as local officials seek to bolster their stockpile through the private sector, according to a USA Today report referenced in the release.

Threat of storms closes coronavirus testing at Fairgrounds

The drive-thru testing center at the Fairgrounds did not take any appointments on Saturday due to the threat of lightning, according to a spokesperson for University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

The physician directing the site said testing can't operate under threats of lightning because the tents are fully exposed, the spokesperson said.

Severe weather is forecasted for the Memphis area from 4 to 8 p.m.

The location will be open again Sunday, taking appointments from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

After about a week of set-up, the testing center opened to the public on Friday.

Testing is free and does not require individuals to contact a health provider ahead of time. 

More:Here's how to access coronavirus testing sites in the Memphis area

Only symptomatic individuals will be tested, according to UTHSC information. The release noted that inclement weather may prompt closures.

To schedule an appointment, text "covid" to 901-203-5526 or scan the code on the flyer in the tweet below.

Tennessee case count rises to 1,373

There are at least 1,373 reported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) across Tennessee, according to the latest update from the state health department Saturday afternoon.

The case count grew by 170, from 1,203 reported Friday.

The state health department reported six deaths and 118 total hospitalizations Saturday afternoon.

Shelby County reports first COVID-19 death

Shelby County reported its first COVID-19 death Saturday morning, according to an update from the Shelby County Health Department. 

The department "does not release identifiable information about specific cases in order to protect privacy," per the release.

Shelby County currently has 275 reported cases of COVID-19 cases. As of Saturday morning, 2,773 Shelby County residents have been tested.

Shelby County reports 275 cases

Shelby County has 275 cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of Saturday morning, per the Shelby County Health Department. 

This is up from 223 cases Friday.

Friday updates

Click here to read all of Friday updates

• 7 Memphis firefighters test positive for COVID-19
• Basketball courts, dog parks among recreational areas now closed
• Public visitation at county jails halted
• Tennessee count of reported COVID-19 cases tops 1,200
• Shelby County DA's office updates on court proceedings, inmates
• Memphis airport traffic sees big drop
• BISSELL sponsors pet adoptions in Memphis
• Reported COVID-19 cases in Shelby County rise 
• COVID-19 testing site now open to the public 

Thursday updates

Click here to read all of Thursday updates.

• Kroger warehouse worker positive, union says
• MPD Director in quarantine
• Strickland: 11 employees positive
• Pink Palace launches ’museum to-go'
• TN Dems push Lee for statewide plan, shelter-in-place
• Explore Bike Share offers free access
• Juvenile Court to hold smaller number of in-custody proceedings 
• Annual commemoration of MLK's death will be virtual this year
• Bored kiddos? Brooks museum "Chalkfest" exhibit to go virtual
• Christ Community Health Services receives federal grant 
• Shelby County reported case count at 198
• Senate passes stimulus plan

Wednesday updates

Click here to read all Wednesday updates

• WMC, SCS to broadcast home lessons for students
• TN Dept. of Human Services announces workforce program
• SCS board cancels March meetings 
• COVID-19 impacting young people in Shelby Co
• Majority of Memphis city hall staff working from home
• Oak Court, Southland Mall announce temporary closures
• Pastor at Hope Church in Memphis tests positive for COVID-19
• Shelby County inmates test negative for COVID-19
• Regional One employees test positive for COVID-19
• COVID-19 case count rises to 170 for Shelby County

Tuesday updates

Click here to read all the Tuesday updates

• 'Shelter in place' health directive issued for Shelby County
• TVA donates respirator masks 
• Kroger warehouse employees working to keep 100 grocery stores stocked
• St. Jude has tested almost 200 people for COVID-19 with its own program
• 'Difficult' for Memphis to return to work in two weeks, health department says
• Tennessee case count now 667
• Shelby County coronavirus count climbs to 135
• Amid partial shutdown, local businesses get creative, change services - delivery of books, $4 sack lunches for kids 
• Cancellation of "Rocky Horror" performance illustrates broad impact of virus on our society
• MLGW restricts public access to its offices
• OUTMemphis requests donations for food and hygiene kits
• Memphis hospitals serve multi-county region, could see COVID-19 cases from far away
• Memphis Police Department restricts access to its stations
• Memphis restaurants offering in-house delivery to employ servers
• Old Dominick Distillery to produce up to 10,000 units of hand sanitizer
• MATA reinforces City of Memphis executive order

Monday updates

Click here to read all the Monday updates

• Shelby County Jail employee tests positive for coronavirus
• Several Germantown Fire Department employees in isolation
• Clerk's office closes after employee gets coronavirus
• Tennessee cases climb to 615
• Harris plans to join Memphis in shelter-in-place orderMemphis Mayor Jim Strickland issues 'safer at home' executive order
• COVID-19 reported case county reaches 84 in Shelby County
• Memphis football coaching staff pledges 360 meals to Mid-South Food Bank
• American Job Centers close locations, but still accept phone appointments
• DeSoto County COVID-19 cases rise to 23
• MATA adds temporary travel limitations for MATAplus customers

Last Weekend updates

Click here to read all updates from this weekend

• Employee test positive via kit administered at St. Jude
• Arlington schools suspends meal program
• Tens of thousands of Memphians in 'high-risk' categories
• Shelby County Schools plan to feed students comes together
• Takeout beer sales approved for Memphis restaurants
• Coronavirus taskforce created
• Memphis bowling alleys, movie theaters, and other spaces ordered closed
• Navy staff member on Milliington base 'doing well with very mild symptoms'
• MATA announces social distancing measures
• Gov. Bill Lee orders restaurants, bars closed except for takeout and delivery
• Trump thanks FedEx, Fred Smith
• YMCA to run point on SCS meal plan
• Strickland encourages social distancing at workplaces, blood donations
• U of M instructor dies in Wisconsin

Last Friday updates

Click here to read all updates from Friday

• MLGW restricting in-person access for bill payment
• Memphis restaurant group "Re-Opening Party" helps staff now
• Indie Memphis Launches At-Home Movie Club 
• Germantown declares state of emergency
• The Memphis area’s three independently owned movie theaters closed Friday
• All public tennis centers closed
• Loflin Yard to host outdoor market
• Blood drive cancellations trigger "critical" shortage, Red Cross says
• Memphis police employee among those who tested positive
• Mississippi schools postpone commencement ceremonies

Last Thursday updates

Click here to read are all the updates from Thursday

• FedEx employees tests positive
• Strickland closes restaurants
• Memphis City Council to hold virtual meeting
• Shelby County DA warns about fake sign
• Shelby Farms closes facilities, remains open
• Lowe's Memphis employee positive for virus
• LeMoyne-Owen moves to remote learning, postpones commencement
• Mid-South Fairgrounds to be used for drive-thru coronavirus testing
• Blues Foundation cancels awards show, Hall of Fame ceremony
• For more than 100,000 uninsured in Shelby County, Medicaid expansion may cover 'some'
• Pink Palace to close
• The Fresh Market to adjust hours

Last Wednesday's updates

Click here to read all the updates from Wednesday

• USL extends season suspension
• City employees to self-isolate after some domestic, all international travel
• Memphis Zoo to close
• Mid-South YMCA locations closing
• Wolfchase Galleria to temporarily close
• Nike donating to Memphis charities
• Germantown city buildings close to the public
• Members of the Memphis City Council warned about possible exposure to coronavirus
• Health Department reports fourth coronavirus case in Shelby County
• Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare to suspend elective surgeries, adjusts visitor policies
• Hernando city employee tests positive
• Memphis Greek Festival Postponed
• Target to close early, offer senior hours

Last Tuesday's updates

Click here to read all the updates from Tuesday

• Southland Casino Racing closed
• April ACTs, May SATs canceled
• Graceland 'Twin Peaks' convention postponed
• Memphis mosques suspend daily, Friday prayers amid coronavirus concerns
• Spanish-language coronavirus resources available
• Strickland declares emergency in Memphis
• Edible Memphis launches emergency GoFundMe for service industry employees
• City of Lakeland closes senior center, City Hall
• Town of Collierville closes library, suspends some services
• Pink Palace Family of Museums to close to the public
• Malco to close movie theaters
• Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum to close temporarily
• Southwest postpones commencement, cancels campus events