Health officials say Shelby County is at the beginning of a new surge of COVID cases, and the Delta variant is prevalent.
Shelby County health department reported 914 active cases Sunday, July 11, double the 453 cases registered last week.
The coronavirus test positivity rate is 5.8% and the 1.26 transmission rate represents the highest it has ever been since the early days of the pandemic. Health officials said cases over the next 30 days are expected to total 3,168 compared to last week’s forecast of 742 cases.
Dr. Bruce Randolph, Shelby County Health Director, said residents need to continue encouraging people to get vaccinated. He said some of the vaccine hesitancy may be a result of the FDA not yet approving the vaccine, and there may a need to get the FDA to go ahead and do that.
He also clarified the latest health directive, saying the Health Department has made no recommendation on the use of Plexiglass for social distancing., and the best protection of all is to wear a mask.
He added that water fountains have been open for months and they should follow a regular cleaning like all other surfaces.
The Health Department is hosting a Back to School event this weekend and next weekend. Immunizations, vaccinations, shot records, birth certificates needed for school will be services provided.
Officials said the efficacy of the vaccine against the Delta variant is 64-88% and patients who are immune-compromised should talk with their doctors about receiving a third dose to build an immunity.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Manoj Jain answered some frequent questions about the Delta variant:
How fast is it?
“It rises very rapidly and will see the steep rise over the next month or two.”
How high will the rise in cases be?
“This wave will not be as high as the last wave. Possibly half the height.”
How long will it last?
It “tends to last a shorter duration.”
Who will be impacted?
“Unvaccinated. Have seen outbreaks at churches, and camps. Continue masking in public and get vaccinated.”
Dr. Jeff Warren, a member of the Shelby County COVID-19 Join Task Force, advised that the transmission rate means we are in trouble with folks that have not been vaccinated over the next 30 to 60 days. He said citizens should continue to encourage friends and family to get vaccinated, and use common sense when in a group setting.
Shelby County Schools have had six students and eight staff members who have tested positive over the last seven days.
There is the most recent data available for COVID hospitalizations: Methodist, 32 patients; Baptist, 36; Memphis Veterans Medical Center, one; St. Jude, one.
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