LIVE UPDATES: Coronavirus in the Mid-South: TN Department of Correction to launch information line
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 Tuesday, April 21:
UPDATE: (9:45 p.m.) The Tennessee Department of Correction announced it will launch a COVID-19 Information Line for the public tomorrow.
The 24-hour information line is for family members of incarcerated individuals. It will be answered by a live analyst who will respond to questions related to COVID-19 testing updates.
UPDATE: (4:15 p.m.) Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said he will NOT allow Memphis businesses to reopen on May 1.
UPDATE: (4:00 p.m.) Arkansas Department of Health reports there are 2,227 cases of the coronavirus in the state.
UPDATE: (3:00 p.m.) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee went over the phased reopening.
He said some of the reopenings will begin Monday with schedules and guidance of what industries will open each day. That will be announced later this week.
The governor said certain guidelines need to continue that include wearing masks, keep social distancing, hand-washing, etc.
The governor said the state will continue large gatherings and gatherings at nursing home facilities restrictions.
The number of recoveries each day continues to increase more than the number of new cases.
The state issued a $10 million grant program to rural hospitals. Four hospitals received funding on Monday.
Funding through the CARES Act began to flow in Tennessee last week, mainly in Nashville and Memphis.
The governor made a bipartisan group to help distribute the federal funds for Tennessee.
The state is working closely with the minority communities to make sure testing is available.
The state health department said contact tracing is continuing to improve. The state wants to bring in more people to help contact tracing to make it more efficient and faster.
There are 230 employees being trained Tuesday to help contact tracing.
UPDATE: (2:30 p.m.) Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said the state will ease into reopening the economy.
The governor does not want to rush into it. There will be rules and regulations and also social distancing will continue to be encouraged.
He also reminded people to make sure your children are included for the extra $500 from the federal government.
Those who were not previously eligible are now eligible for unemployment. They can now file for unemployment because of the next phases of the CARES Act.
Payments are hoped to be paid, starting next week.
$72 million has been paid in unemployment in the last two weeks.
UPDATE: (11 a.m.) WalMart announced today it is implementing new health and safety measures in its stores due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a company press release.
A few of the changes the store has introduced include:
• Installing plexiglass barriers (sneeze guards) at checkout lanes
• Installing floor decals in stores at both the entrances and in checkout lanes, making it easier for customers to judge the proper social distance from each other
• Taking the temperatures of associates as they report to work in stores, clubs and facilities, as well as asking them some basic health screening questions
• Requiring associates wear masks or other face coverings at work and encouraging customers and members to wear face coverings when they shop in stores
• Making key services (like payment and pickup and delivery) completely contact-free
UPDATE: (10:05 a.m.) The Mississippi Department of Health said there are now 4,716 cases in the state.
There are 183 deaths.
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