8/25 COVID-19 task force recap: Path for qualifying limited-service restaurants to reclassify as full-service

Dr. Haushalter, head of the Health Department, said that Health Directive No. 11, entered yesterday, clarified what is meant by limited-service restaurants, which are still to remain closed. These include beer pubs and wine bars as well as businesses that have state liquor licenses. If a restaurant’s sales are 50% or more alcohol, they shouldn’t be open right now.

However, Dr. H did say that the state licensure commission is aware of the fact that some limited-service restaurants have seen their alcohol sales drop below 50% during the pandemic, as food sales rose. Those restaurants will be allowed to show one month’s receipts, rather than a full year’s, to be able to reclassify as full-service restaurants quickly. This measure should bear fruit soon and Dr. H said the health department is supportive of limited-service restaurants finding new ways to operate in order to stay open.

County mayor Lee Harris said there would be an online walk-through for close-contact businesses (hair salons, nail salons, etc.) to apply for Our Beautiful Comeback, the county’s program to offer grants of $2000 to eligible businesses, Monday, August 31 at 3 PM. Go to covid19.shelbycountytn.gov to sign up. Businesses that have already applied for the grant will be notified about the walkthrough.

Mayor Harris said that in school-related cases of COVID-19, students, families, and staff will receive information quickly, “within hours” being the goal. This will apply even if there is only one case. After that, the at-risk community will receive regular follow-up notices. This applies to private schools as well as public.

Dr. Haushalter said Sunday to Monday, there was an increase of 289 new cases, a larger number than they have seen in a while, and they are keeping a close eye on that statistic.

The replication rate is at 0.89, up slightly from last week but still within the goal of keeping that number below 1.

The duplication period, the time it takes the number of coronavirus cases to double, is now at 45 days.

The week-to-week positivity rate continues to drop and was most recently measured at around 11.5%.

Testing: Walgreens will open a new testing center at their Shelby Drive/Ross Rd. store. It won’t be rapid results but it will be drive-through. Also Safety Net is converting the old Appling auto inspection station into a testing center. The expansion of testing should lead to the availability of 10,000 tests per week in Shelby County in the near future.

Hospital capacity is still doing well, with green status in facilities.

Contact tracing can be done quickly thanks to the turnaround time of testing being cut to 1-3 days. Over 10,000 people currently quarantined within the county.

12 feet of spacing between groups of spectators at sporting events was found to be best by the task force. This is a happy medium between the recommendation of 6 feet, for where there is only casual contact, and 18 feet where there is live music.

Children age 2 and under should not wear masks because they pose risks. Ages 3 and above should. Previously 12 and above was mentioned as a guideline, but that was more for enforcement purposes.

Kendall Downing of WMC asked, if a kid at school tests positive, and desks were set up for social distancing, is it possible no other people would be considered contacts? Dr. H said the health department would work with the school to make that determination. Less than 6 feet of distance for 10 minutes would be the most important standard, but they would also consider other factors. These include where the individual moved throughout the day, whether they had a mask on, and whether they coughed. Considering all factors, it is possible they would find there to be no close contacts.

Tom Bailey of the Daily Memphian asked about loosening of restrictions for city golf courses, allowing 2 riders to share a cart in which they could not properly socially distance. Dr. H said it’s like when a group comes into a restaurant, they don’t ask if they are all from the same household; groups are entrusted to do what’s right on their own to reduce transmission.

Greg Akers from the MBJ asked about 11 deaths reclassified as COVID related over the weekend. Dr. H said the health department’s reports are always preliminary. The state medical examiner reviews all cases and makes adjustments. It is a layered process to ensure that Tennessee numbers are as accurate as they can be.

In closing, Dr. H asked everyone to stay the course. She said it’s really important to get through a few weeks of school and sports to see what adjustments need to be made.

I banged this post out super quick so apologies if there are typos. Back in the morning with more news and probably a first look at a restaurant.