MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The impact of the novel coronavirus is being felt all across the Mid-South where new cases are being announced every day and new steps are being taken to help limit the spread. Keep checking back for the latest COVID-19 updates throughout the day.
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Below are the latest updates for Sunday, May 17:
UPDATE: (8:45 p.m.) Germantown announced it’s canceling its Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
The city released a statement on its website that reads in part: “Each year, our fireworks show draws tens of thousands of people to Municipal Park, and it’s certainly a treasured community event. Ultimately, the community’s safety is our number one priority, and we must adhere to state and local health directives which say large public events are not allowed and aren’t likely to be allowed for some time,” said Germantown Parks and Recreation Director Pam Beasley. “We look forward to the return of this celebratory event in 2021.”
UPDATE: (6:45 p.m.) The Arkansas Department of Health reports 4,759 cases of the coronavirus. The death toll stands at 98, with no new deaths reported, and 3,590 patients recovered.
UPDATE: (2:00 p.m.) The Tennessee Department of Health reports 17,388 cases of the coronavirus with 298 deaths and 9,652 patients recovered.
UPDATE: (11:15 a.m.) The Mississippi Department of Health said there are 11,296 cases of the virus and 521 deaths.
UPDATE: (10:10 a.m.) The Shelby County Health Department reports 3,719 cases of the coronavirus and 84 deaths.
UPDATE: (8:15 a.m.) Proposed ordinances to require people to wear masks in Memphis and Shelby County could be dead before they get another vote.
In a letter sent yesterday to Shelby County Commission Chair Mark Billingsley, County Attorney Marlinee C. Iverson wrote it is clear that Shelby County Commissioners do not have the power to require residents to wear masks, but the Shelby County Health Department does.
Commissioner Tami Sawyer proposed the ordinance last week. Commissioner approved it on its first reading, but it would still need to pass two more readings to go into effect.
UPDATE: (6:10 a.m.) The global and U.S. numbers are increasing daily as experts seek to find a vaccine for the coronavirus.
Globally, there are over 4.6 million cases with over 312,000 deaths and over 1.7 million patients recovered.
In the U.S., there are over 1.4 million COVID-19 cases with over 88,000 deaths and over 268,000 patients recovered.
Arkansas has over 4,500 cases of the virus with 98 deaths and over 3,400 patients recovered.
Mississippi has over 11,000 cases of COVID-19 with 510 deaths.
Tennessee reached over 17,000 cases with 295 deaths over 9,500 patients recovered.
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