Coronavirus Resource Center

Mid-South Coronavirus Updates and Resources

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect lives throughout the Mid-South, the medical experts and highly trained staff at Baptist remain dedicated to helping ensure the health and safety of our patients, employees and communities. If you have additional questions, please call our 24/7 Coronavirus Resource Center hotline at 866-941-4785.

If you are planning to visit someone at a Baptist Memorial Hospital, please read our revised Visitation Policy.

COVID-19 Testing

Baptist has two drive-thru COVID-19 testing centers in the greater Memphis area.

If you would like to be tested at our Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis location, we recommend you make an appointment in advance. Doing so will ensure you will be tested when you arrive. If you arrive at the test location without an appointment, you will have to make an appointment before you can be tested. To make an appointment in advance:

1. By phone: Call 901-227-TEST (8378). The call center is open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
2. On BaptistOnline: Click here, then click on the yellow “COVID-19 Test” button in the blue box. Select a day and time for your test and complete a short form.
3. On the MyChart App or Website: From the main menu, click on "Find Care Now." On the next screen, click on "Baptist Medical Group Coronavirus Testing—Memphis Hospital," then select an appointment day and time. If you don't have a MyChart account, you can create one at mychart.baptistonecare.org.

You can also get a COVID-19 test with an appointment at our drive-thru testing location at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto in Southaven, Mississippi. You must call 662-772-4343 Monday- Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. to schedule an appointment. The testing center is open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Visit our COVID-19 Testing page for details. For additional testing options, speak with your doctor.

COVID-19 Prevention

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. We can all do our part to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in our communities.

• Listen to and follow the directions of state and local governments.
• Wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings and around people not in your household.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Practice social distancing; keep about 6 feet between yourself and others, and avoid social gatherings.
• If you feel sick, stay at home.
• If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire family at home.
• If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
• If you have a serious underlying health condition, stay home and away from people.
• Work or engage in schooling from home, if possible.
• Use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options for dining.
• Avoid nonessential travel, shopping trips and social visits.
• Do not visit nursing homes or long-term care facilities.

And always practice good hygiene:

• Wash your hands, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

For more information on the coronavirus and what you can do to slow the spread, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

When to seek medical attention

If you or a loved one experience any of the following emergency warning signs associated with COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately (not an all-inclusive list):

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

• Isolate yourself from others.
• Get a test at a Baptist Memorial Health Care testing center.
• Call your doctor to discuss your symptoms.
• If you don’t have a doctor, please call one of these numbers to be referred to a physician
  • 844-837-2433 for the metro-Memphis area, West Tennessee and North Mississippi
  • 855-733-8863 for the for the Jackson, Mississippi, area.
  • 870-936-8000 for the Jonesboro, Arkansas, area.
• If your symptoms are severe, call 911, or call your nearest emergency department before going there.

Watch and share our short video to learn more about stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Celebrating the Holidays

As you begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, please remember there are steps you can take to help protect your family, friends and community from COVID-19. For example, Thanksgiving usually means long road trips or flights and big family gatherings, but you may want to consider safer alternatives to enjoying family and giving thanks this year.

Learn more about holiday safety

Going Back to School Safely

This school year is unlike anything we have ever experienced. If you chose in-person learning for your child this year, it’s a good idea to ensure you and your child follow these tips to help ensure a safe and healthy school year.

Back to School Safely

Help Avoid Coronavirus with These Tips

For most people that catch COVID-19, the symptoms will be relatively mild and will include: fever, cough and shortness of breath. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk, but there are steps we can all take to help stop the spread. These tips include:

• Wear a mask
• Avoid handshakes
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
• Avoid touching your face
• Cough into your elbow
• Avoid crowds and practice social distancing
• Stay home if you can by avoiding unnecessary trips

COVID-19 cases in our region

Click on the dots to see the number of confirmed and presumed positive COVID-19 cases in our region.

We're tracking all COVID-19 testing performed at all Baptist hospitals and clinics throughout our footprint. For a breakdown of the number of tests performed at each of our facilities, and positive and negative results, visit our COVID-19 Testing Stats page.

Baptist’s Coronavirus Response Plan

Baptist has the resources and expertise to address the coronavirus outbreak in our region. And we want to be your trusted source for information on coronavirus and COVID-19. View our Coronavirus Response Plan to see how we’ve prepared for this pandemic, and what we are doing to serve and protect our communities.

View our Coronavirus Response Plan

Health Care Provider Resources

Useful information and resources for physicians and advanced practice providers in the Baptist community, including regular updates by Baptist leadership, office resources, and links to national and international health organizations.

Explore Health Care Provider Resources

Media Coverage

Visit Baptist's Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) YouTube page to watch interviews with our medical experts.

View our videos