MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The fight to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Shelby County is intensifying as the county braces for a possible post-holiday surge in cases.

The health department says hundreds of first responders and other priority groups are receiving the COVID vaccine and its safer at home health directive will be enforced as they monitor new cases.

Fresh off the Christmas holiday there were a lower number of new COVID-19 cases, only 371 to be exact. But the health department says we can’t celebrate just yet because fewer people were tested last week.

“We want to wait and watch the numbers for the following week to two weeks, and not have a premature assumption that the numbers are going down because of the small number of 371,” health departmenr director Dr. Alisa Haushalter said.

The greatest number of COVID cases are for those under 44, but there’s been increase for people older as well.

“That indicates to us there is transmission from that younger age group to the older age group and reinforces the need for the protocols we have in place,” Haushalter said.

One of those protocols is the controversial new health directive that went into effect Dec. 26.

Many leaders in the town of Arlington oppose the safer at home measure, saying in a recent letter the health department acted prematurely in its actions.

“It was our responsibility to take action to reduce the likelihood of diseases and deaths in our community,” Haushalter responded. “So that is the criteria that we used. I’m aware of the document that came out of the city of Arlington. I’ve said elected officials have the right to their opinion and I won’t comment on their opinion.”

Health leaders say hundreds of first responders, but also other priority groups such as seniors were vaccinated this week.

“That’s particularly our seniors and those in congregate settings, and then you want to focus on those who are providers of care because they’re at risk of getting covid and getting it to others,” she said.

As for whether or not the government is mandating everyone receive the COVID vaccine, the health department says the answer is no.

“Particularly in the state of Tennessee, it isn’t a mandatory vaccine, and at the current time I know of no employers who are mandating it for their employees,” Haushalter said.

There have been more than 66,000 cases and 871 people have died since the pandemic began in Shelby County.

To read Shelby County’s vaccination plan, click here.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 66,084 cases Tuesday morning. The health department reported 371 new cases for Tuesday.

There have been 861 deaths, an increase of 12 deaths in the last 24 hours. The deaths account for 1.3% of all cases in Shelby County. The average age of all those who have died in Shelby County is 74.

While the elderly are most likely to die, health officials say people between 20 and 50 are most likely to get the virus and spread it.

The number of cases considered recovered is 58,445, or 88.4% There are 6,778 active cases, which accounts for 10.3%.

According to Dr. Haushalter, 23% of those with COVID work in the manufacturing and warehouse industry. Another 21% work in health care and 11% work in education.

Usage of local Acute Care and ICU beds was 89% and 93% respectively as of Monday. There are 580 COVID patients in the hospital. At this rate hospitals could be caring for 700 patients by the second week of January.

There is also concern regarding hospital staffing especially with hospitals having medical staff in isolation and quarantine. Dr. Haushalter said while the system is strained, it is able to care for our community and encouraged anyone who needs care to seek it.

Health experts say the COVID vacine won’t be available to everyone until March or April, meaning it could be months before enough people are vaccinated to bring the pandemic under control.