SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Shelby County health officials gave an update Tuesday on COVID-19 data and vaccination efforts in the area.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the end of statewide public health orders and asked for lifting restrictions and the mask mandate by May 31.
Lee said it’s time for all COVID-19 restrictions to be over.
City of Memphis Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen said city leaders are evaluating those possible changes.
McGowen said, “we’re not there yet,” as far as lifting the mask requirement. He said more people would need to be vaccinated.
Across Shelby County, about a third of the population has been vaccinated, which is far from the goal. Officials are now looking to their legal team for answers.
“We want to make sure that we are legally correct, whether the ordinance stands concerning what the health order is and the request from the governor is,” said McGowen.
Shelby County Health Dept. Deputy Director David Sweat said over 94,000 cases have been reported in the county since the pandemic began.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine in the Mid-South
“Tweaks” to the local ordinance could be issued in the coming days, but those have not been determined yet, Sweat said.
The virus reproductive rate is still above 1.
118 new cases were reported yesterday.
Over 500,000 vaccine doses have been delivered across the county.
Sweat said 204,848 residents are fully vaccinated at this time.
MORE: Here’s what the end of TN’s statewide public health orders means
The City is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated and encourage others to do the same.
Vaccination appointments are available, but many sites are operating without appointments as well.
Wait times are under five minutes, McGowen said.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is back in Shelby County. Currently, the city said homeless and homebound people are getting it. And others will be able to schedule appointments for next week beginning Thursday.
This comes after The CDC and FDA recommended Friday the 11-day pause on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine be lifted after it was decided the benefits outweigh the rare risks of a blood clot.
The Mississippi State Department of Health said they will continue to hold off on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. A spokeswoman said the agency will review additional information and let everyone know if they decide to resume the shots.
New guidance also came down from the CDC Tuesday. If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask at small gatherings outside or when eating outside with others.
Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.
Trending stories:
"local" - Google News
April 28, 2021 at 12:17AM
https://ift.tt/2PthCIm
“Not there yet:” Local health officials say more people need to be vaccinated before mask mandate is lifted - FOX13 Memphis
"local" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2WoMCc3
https://ift.tt/2KVQLik
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "“Not there yet:” Local health officials say more people need to be vaccinated before mask mandate is lifted - FOX13 Memphis"
Post a Comment