Virus Cases Rise By 479
New virus case numbers rose by 479 over the last 24 hours. The new cases put the total of all positive cases in Shelby County since March at 75,495.
Total current active cases of the virus — the number of people known to have COVID-19 in the county — fell to 7,487. The figure had been as low as 1,299 in September and rose above 2,000 only in October. The new active case count represents 9.9 percent of all cases of the virus reported here since March.
The Shelby County Health Department reported 3,266 tests have been given here in the last 24 hours. Since March, 879,625 total tests have been given. This figure includes multiple tests given to some people.
As of Tuesday (the latest data available), acute care beds were 91 percent full in area hospitals with 217 beds available. Of the 2,178 patients in acute care beds now, 415 of them were COVID-19-positive. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds were 95 percent full with 19 beds available. Of the 391 patients in ICU beds now, 150 were COVID-19-positive.
The latest weekly positivity rate skyrocketed to another record high. The average positive of test results for the week of December 27th was 17.5 percent, rising nearly three percentage points over the then-record 14.3 percent weekly average recorded for December 20th.
Sixteen new deaths were reported over the last 24 hours. However, those deaths likely span from many days; they likely did not occur within the last 24 hours. The total death toll now stands at 1,062.
The average age of those who have died in Shelby County is 74, according to the health department. The age of the youngest COVID-19 death was 13. The oldest person to die from the virus was 101.
Shelby County vaccine information:
COVID-19 vaccinations for 1a1 groups, health care workers and individuals age 75+ started Tuesday at the Pipkin Building at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. All appointments are now filled for January.
The health department will continue to provide daily updates, announce when more appointments are available and provide another signup opportunity. For information on vaccines and more, visit the county’s COVID-19 website at shelby.community.
COVID-19 Testing Availability
Shelby County has “plenty of testing capacity available,” according to the health department, and “anyone who thinks they need a test should get one.” Two of the community drive-through testing sites are now available to anyone, and no appointment is needed during their regular testing hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Those sites are:
• 2355 Appling City Cove
• 1720 RKS Commercial Cove (off Lamar Avenue)
