Coronavirus live updates: What to know on the Mississippi Coast for March 17

5:30 p.m.

Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes is warning residents to abide by the recommendation to limit gatherings to under 10 people.

“This is not what anybody wants to hear — particularly those who provide employment to those in our community, but the fact is that the recommended requirements are not to be treated as ‘options,’ “ he said in a press release.

“They should be considered a mandate that all of us need to manage. We are stressing to all concerned, that it is necessary to abide by the admonition to avoid crowds, and not create opportunities for the spread of this disease by allowing groupings of more than 10 people.

“This applies to places of business, as well as civic and service groups in order to stem the rampant spread of COVID-19.

“The reality is, if people don’t manage this, we won’t have the opportunity to make our own decisions — they will be made for us. It is not, ‘business as usual.’ “

5:25 p.m.

From Keesler Air Force Base: “Colonel Heather Blackwell, the Commander of Keesler, has requested retirees and veterans limit travel to the base for essential medical appointments only. Keeping our training pipeline open is essential to the success of our Air Force.”

4:45 p.m.

Catholic Diocese of Biloxi is canceling all daily and Sunday Masses starting Wednesday. Churches will remain open for those who want to pray or seek guidance. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral will livestream daily at 8 a.m. Mass Monday-Saturday and at 11 a.m. Sunday. To view these Masses, visit the diocese’s YouTube page or view Mass from St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans at 12:05 p.m. Monday-Friday by visiting www.thedailymass.com

4:15 p.m.

Crawfish Music Festival has been postponed, may be combined with the Summer Fair in June.

Harrison and Hancock counties closed all public and recreational facilities. Jackson County is holding an emergency meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Harrison County’s offices and courthouses are open.

Davis Bayou Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore is open but the visitor’s center and restrooms in the picnic area are not.

With the Legislative Session temporarily suspended, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said in Jackson he wanted to “speak clearly” on the future of the state.

“We will continue to plant and harvest the food which feeds us and the world. We will build the cars which transport us. We will build ships which defend us. Our schools will continue to educate our children. We will again join our friends, families, and our neighbors at our sporting events, restaurants and churches. In short, our lives will return to normal.,” he said. “These challenges are temporary, but our resolve is permanent.”

3:30 p.m.

Gov. Tate Reeve held a Facebook Live Q&A, where he said:

• He’s meeting with the Mississippi State Department of Education on Wednesday about the need to extend school closures, which the governor said is expected to happen.
• The governor reminded Mississippi residents that coronavirus, or COVID-19, is worse than influenza. “It appears that death rates are significantly higher than that of the common flu,” he said. He warned residents to respond to recommendations for social distancing, and otherwise, to protect themselves and others.
• Small business owners, he said, could also receive some much-needed relief through the Small Business Administration for loans and other services. He said the minimum requirements were met Tuesday and he expects to sign a request for assistance in the next 24 hours. The SBA revised its criteria Tuesday to make it easier to access assistance across entire states.
• He said everyone should stop panic-buying at grocery stores. He said the empty shelves are happening because people are trying to stock up for weeks at a time. “My plea with all of you is continue your shopping on a regular basis. Don’t be afraid to order takeout food from time to time” to support local businesses, he said.
• During this period, Reeves said, people who are no longer able to get their car tags updates will not be ticketed for having expired plates.
• He said there are no plans for a statewide lockdown, and no plans to force restaurants or businesses to close.

3:15 p.m.

The 2020 Legislative Session is suspended until April 1, the Mississippi House and Senate announced Tuesday. The suspension could possibly last until April 1 and the session could be extended when the Legislation can return.

The House also passed a bill to assure state and local government employees and school employees will be paid during the closures due to coronavirus. The Senate will take it up on Wednesday.

Secretary of State Michael Watson announced his office is closed but the public can do business with the department by phone, email and online.

1 p.m.

Catholic Diocese of Biloxi is extending school closure until March 27.

In Hancock County, McLeod Park and Buccaneer State Park are open with limits on public gatherings. Bay St. Louis Municipal Court is closed through April 10.

The Hancock County Chamber of Commerce has launched a Stronger Together initiative with a website at http://hancockchamber.org/stronger-together and daily Facebook livestream with updates.

12 p.m.

Mississippi Gaming Commission has directed that all Bingo games held by charitable organizations across the state must close by 8 p.m. tonight and will stay closed indefinitely.

11:20 a.m.

The Centers for Disease Control announces 4,226 coronavirus cases in the U.S. and 75 deaths.

That is up from Monday’s 3,487 cases and 71 deaths. It’s a 1-day increase of 739 cases cross the country.

West Virginia is the only state without a reported case.

9:30 a.m.

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced nine new cases, including one in Harrison County and one in Jackson County. The total is now 21 cases in Mississippi, with 389 people tested so far.

8:20 a.m.

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport just announced two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Harrison County.

CEO Kent Nicaud announced the Mississippi Department of Health confirmed two cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19), making them the first in Harrison County to be identified.

The tests were performed at the MDHS laboratory. The individuals were isolated but not hospitalized, the hospital said and are at home recovering. None of them were inpatients at Memorial or Stone County campuses, and each patient is at home and self-quarantined.

7 a.m.

The following Keesler Air Force Base facilities are closed from March 17-23, according to their Facebook page:

• BBEC Club – Closure includes Pressed, Second Floor Café, Third Floor Lounge and “Club V” at Vandenberg Commons
• BBEC Indoor Play Place
• Dragon Wagon
• Fitness Centers (Blake, Dragon, and Triangle)
• Gaude Lanes Bowling Center
• ITT
• McBride Commons – Closure includes all activities including Arts & Crafts and InkHouse Printing
• Outdoor Rec
• Vandenberg Commons – Closure includes the “Drop Zone” and Digital Library

6 a.m.

Dollar General is encouraging a senior shopping hour, and other grocery stores are changing their hours. Find the full list here.

Highlights from yesterday:

▪ There are 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi and 289 people tested

▪ CDC discouraging gatherings of 10 or more people.

▪ Gov. Tate Reeves issued executive orders for the National Guard to assist state testing centers, for schools to use distance learning programs, and for state employees to send all non-essential employees home on paid leave.

▪ The Mississippi Gaming Commission announced all casinos will close indefinitely starting today.

▪ Two Carnival crew members were allowed off the cruise ship in Gulfport’s port that’s been linked to a COVID-19 case in Ohio.

▪ Mississippi Superintendent Carey Wright recommended state and federal assessment and accountability requirements be suspended for the 2019-20 school year.

▪ Sparklight, formerly known as Cable One, is offering unlimited data available on all internet services for 30 days starting March 13, as well as payment deferrals and waiving late fees for its customers for 60 days. The company plans to reassess after 30 days. It is opening hot spots with wireless internet available to the public at the following locations:

• 12261 Hwy 49, Suite 8 in Gulfport
• 19201 Pineville Road in Long Beach
• 5100 MacPhelah Road in Pascagoula

This story will updated throughout the day. Submit your update by emailing mynews@sunherald.com

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: What to know on the Mississippi Coast for March 17."