Publisher: WMC


Health officials monitoring COVID-19 hotspots to decide when Shelby County should move toward phase two of reopening

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The COVID-19 task force said Friday the data looks promising for a move to phase two, but no date has been announced. “We will be looking at it collectively throughout the weekend and anticipate making an announcement on Monday,” said Alisa Haushalter, Director of the Shelby County Health Department.


The Investigators: Shelby County’s COVID-19 test positivity rate declines even as businesses reopen

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As more people test for COVID-19, the number of cases will continue to rise but health officials are watching the testing positivity rate. A testing positivity rate is the number of positive tests compared to the number of tests taken. On May 14, 7.59% of the total tests in Shelby County were positive. That’s down… Read More


Memphis hospitals prepared for potential COVID-19 patients

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A new report from Vanderbilt University’s Department of Health Policy shows the number of expected hospitalizations from COVID-19 in Tennessee is much lower than first projected. In April, Vanderbilt researchers released a report estimating by now more than 1,200 people would be hospitalized throughout Tennessee due to COVID-19. However, the number of people in hospitals… Read More


Memphis, Shelby County restaurants prepare to enter phase 1 of reopening

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Health experts and local officials say a decreasing COVID-19 infection rate, along with unused hospital beds in Shelby County, is allowing some businesses to slowly open beginning Monday.  


Some local churches prepare to reopen after Gov. Lee’s order, while others vow to remain closed

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Shelby County churches have new freedom to decide when and how they want to reopen their doors. Also mentioned on: May 1: WMC-TV May 1: Daily Memphian


Road to Reopening’: A WMC town hall discussing COVID-19 and reopening the Mid-South

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As the Mid-South prepares to come out of quarantine, WMC Action News 5 is making sure you have all the information you need to continue navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.


Gov. Bill Lee visits COVID-19 testing site, alternate care facility in Memphis

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee visited Memphis Saturday and made two stops at important sites in the ongoing battle against COVID-19.


UTHSC health expert answers questions about coronavirus as states reopen economy

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Memphis businesses will not reopen on May 1, even as other employees across the state start returning to work. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland extended his safer-at-home order until May 5.