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COVID-19 Update from Mayor Strickland (8-17)

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Strickland (8-17)

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been making progress by reducing our daily number of new cases and our positivity rate. We’re now beginning to see those reductions reflected in our hospitalizations.

For several weeks we were averaging between 350-400 people per day in our hospitals. For the last week, those numbers have been between 313-350. It’s still early, but this is further proof that all our efforts—mask wearing, handwashing, and social distancing—are working.

As we get closer to the start of flu season, continuing to do all these things will be even more important. Keep up the good work, Memphis!

2020 Census

The deadline to fill out your Census information is September 30th.

Why does filling it out matter? The census equals money for states, cities and communities. It equals money for Memphis.

Each person equates to roughly $1,091 each year over the 10 years until the next Census.

That’s money to support many of the things we care about, like funding for career and technical education, family assistance in the form of Food Stamps, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, are funded based on the number of people that live where in our community.

From a city standpoint, we’ve been doing our part to remind everyone to fill out your information. For last several months, we’ve been doing media blitzes—print, tv, and social. We created a website 901counts.com with information to answer any questions you may have.

Prior to COVID-19, we were holding public events, and we announced a community challenge to encourage neighborhood associations, neighborhood watch groups, and CDC’s to help increase their self-response. So, far 10 groups are participating.

But, even after all that work, our local response rate through last Friday was only 54%.

We need you to do your part and take the time to complete your Census form. It takes less than 10 minutes to fill out, and by doing so, you’re helping Memphis get our fair share of federal funding.

DATA AND ACTIONS FOR AUGUST 16

Received 13 complaints

City Mask Ordinance
Code completed 16 inspections based on processed complaints.
2 businesses received warnings. 
0 businesses received a summons.
0 businesses received a second summons
H.D. Mask and Other Violations
Code completed 5 inspections based on processed complaints
2 businesses received warnings

ENFORCEMENT STATUS TO DATE – CITY MASK ORDINANCE

To date, 819 City Mask Complaints have been inspected by Code:

726 complaints have been resolved as “compliant” following inspection by Code
22 current open matters.  The following is a breakdown of the open matters:
3 pending inspections 
6 businesses on 1st Violation
4 business on 2nd Violation
0 businesses on 3rd Violation
4 businesses have been issued first summons
2 businesses have been issued second summons 
3 businesses were closed at first inspection (NOH)

ENFORCEMENT STATUS TO DATE – HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTIVES

To date, 149 H.D. related complaints have been inspected by Code:

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

WRITTEN VIOLATIONS SUMMARY

To date, 390 City Mask Ordinance violations have been issued (this is the cumulative total for violations issued in closed and open matters)

To date, 32 Health Department violations have been issued (this is the cumulative total for violations issued in closed and open matters)

COVID-19 Data Points

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: August 17, 2020
Shelby County COVID-19 Cases
Total Shelby County Cases: 25,275
New Cases Today: 229
Deaths Total: 328
Deaths Reported Last 24 Hours: 4
Total Tested in Shelby County: 233,114
Tennessee Total Cases: 133,708
As of 2:00 p.m. 8/16/20
Other Jurisdictions
Tipton County, TN: 1,256
Desoto County, MS: 3,911
Crittenden County, AR: 1,482
Numbers current as of 10:00 a.m. 8/17/20

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:

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.  It includes information about the geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County.

All of Shelby County, including the municipalities and the unincorporated areas are under Safer at Home orders. Some non-essential businesses, including bars and some limited service restaurants have been ordered to close, under the current Health Directive No. 9. Health Directive No. 9 also orders all restaurants in Shelby County to close no later than 10:00 p.m. each night. These orders will remain in place under Health Directive No. 10.

Health Directive No. 10, announced on Friday, August 7, 2020, goes into effect on Monday, August 10, 2020. Substantive changes from Health Directive No. 9 include:

Improvements/Set Backs and Responses chart added to show “tripwires” for re-openings/shutdowns. The Health Department will continue to share information about testing capacity, hospital capacity, and public health capacity with the mayors and other medical partners because those “responses” involve actions required by the health department and/or governmental partners.

Sports are addressed based on Governor Lee’s Executive Order 55 (there are also FAQs on the digital site that speak to sports (at the bottom of the page)
County courthouses are addressed (to limit too much traffic coming in)

The full text of Health Directive No. 10 may be viewed at:  www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

For more information about the Safer at Home order or to register concerns, the public may contact:

· The Shelby County Mayor’s Action Line: 901-222-2300

· The Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline: 833-943-1658

· Email shelbytnhealth@shelbycountytn.gov.

On July 3, and updated July 7, 2020, the Shelby County Health Department issued a Health Order and Directive Regarding Masks and Cloth Face Coverings, which may be viewed at www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.

The Order and Directive requires the use of masks or cloth facial coverings in most public settings by all persons in Shelby County with the exceptions of children age two or younger and persons who cannot tolerate facial coverings because of certain medical conditions.

Please note, face masks with expiratory vents or valves are not recommended. The vents allow potentially infectious respiratory droplets to be expelled into the air and therefore do not prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Approved masks may be picked up, while supplies last, at all Shelby County Health Department locations listed below during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the exception of the Collierville clinic, which is open Tuesday and Thursday only. No appointment is needed to pick up a mask. 

Health Department Main Office

814 Jefferson Avenue, 38105

Cawthon Public Health Clinic

1000 Haynes, 38114

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

167 Washington St., 38017

Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic

6590 Kirby Center Cove, 38118

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

8225 Highway 51 North, 38053

Shelby Crossing Public Health Clinic

6170 Macon Road, 38133

Southland Mall Public Health Clinic

1287 Southland Mall, 38116