COVID-19 Update from Mayor Strickland (10-7)

Five months ago, we began working on a program called Test to Protect that would provide asymptomatic testing for teachers and students in preparation for in-person learning this fall.

The program is funded through federal CARES Act dollars, and we have partnered with a local lab, Poplar Healthcare, to perform our test results. To learn a little more about Poplar Healthcare, here’s a great article in today’s paper.

The goal of this program is to help those schools in the city of Memphis who want to open up safely this fall with in-person learning by regularly testing asymptomatic students and teachers. By doing this, we are able to quickly determine where a potential hot spot may be and stop it before it starts.

To date, we are operating at the following charter and independent locations within the city of Memphis who are offering in-person learning:

• Compass School (Charter) (Hickory Hill and Frayser)
• Hutchison School
• Libertas Montessori (Charter)
• Maria Montessori School
• Memphis Athletic Ministries Student Hubs (Grizzlies Center, Olivet, and Leawood)
• Memphis University School
• Porter Leath (American Way, Alice Rd., Early Learning Childhood Academy)
• Promise Academy (Charter) (Spring Hill and Hollywood)
• St. Mary’s Episcopal School
• The University of Memphis Lab Schools (Campus, Middle, Early Learning Research Center)

As we move further through the year and in anticipation of more schools offering an in-person learning option, we are working to scale up the program to meet that demand in the event it happens.

Mask Enforcement

DATA AND ACTIONS FOR OCTOBER 7

Received 9 complaints

• City Mask Ordinance
• Code completed 13 inspections based on processed complaints.
• 3 business received warnings. 
• 0 business received a summons.
• 0 businesses received a second summons

• H.D. Mask and Other Violations
• Code completed 8 inspections based on processed complaints
• 0 business received warnings

ENFORCEMENT STATUS TO DATE – CITY MASK ORDINANCE

To date, 1,152 City Mask Complaints have been inspected by Code:

• 1,046 complaints have been resolved as “compliant” following inspection by Code
• 17 current open matters.  The following is a breakdown of the open matters:

• 2 pending inspections 
• 5 business on 1st Violation
• 1 businesses on 2nd Violation
• 0 businesses on 3rd Violation
• 6 businesses have been issued first summons
• 2 businesses have been issued second summons 
• 1 business was closed at first inspection

ENFORCEMENT STATUS TO DATE – HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTIVES

To date, 239 H.D. related complaints have been inspected by Code:

• 192 complaints have been resolved as “compliant” following inspection by Code.
• 1 current open matters.  The following is a breakdown of the open matters:
• 1 pending inspection 
  • 0 businesses on 1st Violation
  • 0 business on 2nd Violation
  • 0 businesses on 3rd Violation 
  • 0 businesses were closed at first inspection  

WRITTEN VIOLATIONS SUMMARY

To date, 584 City Mask Ordinance violations have been issued (this is the cumulative total for violations issued in closed and open matters)

To date, 88 Health Department violations have been issued (this is the cumulative total for violations issued in closed and open matters)

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: October 7, 2020

Shelby County Health Department is tracking clusters in facilities that serve certain vulnerable populations:

Here is information about clusters considered to be resolved. A cluster is considered resolved once a facility has gone 28 days without a new case:

Here is the most recent testing and case information provided by the Shelby County Division of Corrections:

The testing positivity rate is the percentage of all tests conducted that are found to be positive. The chart below shows Shelby County’s testing positivity rates over time.

The Health Department issued a new directive, Health Directive No. 13 yesterday that went into effect at midnight.  Key changes in Health Directive 13 are:

• Further expansion of time period for when limited and full service restaurants (and other similar establishments) may operate (now 12 midnight instead of 10 pm)
• Further expanding the number of people in a group that may attend events, dining, and other family group experiences (now 8 people instead of 6)
• Providing an easier number to remember for general COVID-19 inquiries, reporting positive cases and complaints regarding noncompliance to the health directive to the Department by calling 901-222-MASK (which is 901-222-6275), or emailing  shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.
• Businesses closed due to noncompliance to the health directive will be required to submit a written safety plan prior to reopening. Those businesses should anticipate a closure period of up to 14 days.

Shelby County has plenty of testing capacity available, and anyone who thinks they need a test should get one. Two of the community drive-through testing sites are now available to anyone, and no appointment is needed during their regular testing hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Those sites are:

• 2355 Appling City Cove
• 1720 RKS Commercial Cove (off Lamar Avenue)

This week is Fall Break for many schools. Families who plan to travel this week should be aware that persons can spread COVID-19 to others, including family members, friends and community members even if they feel well and have no symptoms. Follow the safety precautions below to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19. 

If you travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these steps to protect yourself and others:

• Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings.
• Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

More information about traveling can be found on the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

The Health Department strongly recommends vaccination against influenza. It is possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, and that may increase the risk of severe illness. The flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19, but it is the best protection we have against seasonal influenza.

Flu vaccine is now available on a sliding fee scale based on income at all the Health Department’s public health clinics listed below:

• Cawthon Public Health Clinic

1000 Haynes, 38114

• Collierville Public Health Clinic (Tuesday and Thursday Only, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

167 Washington St., 38017

• Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic

       6590 Kirby Center Cove, 38118

• Immunization Clinic

814 Jefferson, Rm. 216, 38105

• Millington Public Health Clinic

8225 Highway 51 North, 38053

• Southland Mall Public Health Clinic

1287 Southland Mall, 38116

• Sycamore View Public Health Clinic

1826 Sycamore View Road, 38134