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Health officials expect the first limited quantities of COVID-19 vaccines to reach Shelby County sometime after Dec. 15. About 22,500 initial vaccine doses will go to the health department for distribution, with another roughly 11,000 going to some area hospitals.

This story was produced in partnership with the Institute for Public Service Reporting, and is part of the series Surging in Silence, which is supported by the Pulitzer Center.

In a record-breaking year for homicides in Memphis, deaths attributed to domestic violence have nearly doubled compared to 2019. Police and advocates say the pandemic has turned many of the factors that fuel domestic violence, such as unemployment and isolation, into a powder keg for abusive relationships.

Just ahead of Thanksgiving, Shelby County health officials are taking a closer look at the so-called data-driven "tripwires" that could lead to new restrictions in places where people gather, from restaurants and gyms to sporting events. 

But political analyst Otis Sanford says the calculations surrounding stronger measures involve more than just numbers of infections and deaths. Politicans are balancing public health needs with the need to keep the economy moving and people employed. 

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Mid-South. Keith McDonald, Mayor of Bartlett, believes another lockdown is on the horizon due to some individuals' reluctance to wear masks, especially when in large social gatherings. McDonald is among a growing number of Republican mayors urging Gov. Bill Lee to institute a statewide mask mandate.  

The most recent COVID-19 wave is arriving along with the holidays, and local health experts are urgently warning against not just big gatherings, but small ones as well. Officials are asking people to trim down their Thanksgiving rituals and only enjoy the traditionally large meal with those in your household.