Not ‘business as usual.’ What the Coast needs to know about coronavirus on March 18
8 p.m.
Singing River Health System says a patient transferred from another hospital to Ocean Springs Hospital has tested positive for coronavirus. The person who was transferred required higher-level care available at Singing River Health System, SRHS said in a press release.
The hospital performed 11 new tests on Wednesday and received 8 negative test results back from the lab as of 5 p.m. today, according to the press release.
6 p.m.
Top stories from today:
5 new cases on the Coast. In Mississippi, 34 cases with 513 tested.
A Disney Cruise Line spokesperson says no Health Department official has informed them that one of its passengers, a 74-year-old woman from Hancock County, tested positive for COVID-19. She says she spoke with them at length after her diagnosis.
“Testing is becoming more widely available,” a Coast infectious disease doctor told the Sun Herald.
Jackson orders bars to close and restaurants to be take-out only.
Law enforcement agencies are adapting to coronavirus risks.
Where to find free meals for kids 18 and under.
4:15 p.m.
For adults and kids who are restless while home from work and school, Jackson George Regional Library System is offering curb-side pickup service at all locations. Library members in good standing can pick up library materials they on hold or have requested by phone without leaving their vehicle. Up to 24 hours advance order is needed and card holders must pick up materials within 3 business days. The service is available to those who have no fees or fines over $10. Details: 228-769-3060 or www.jgrls.org.
2 p.m.
The Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport reports its first case from a civilian employee at the Naval Exchange.
Coast Transit Authority is reducing its service starting Thursday. The Casino Hopper route will operate in 45- minute intervals. Find more info at coasttransit.com.
12:15 p.m.
The first known person on the Coast to be hospitalized was announced by Merit Health Biloxi. The patient, a Harrison County resident, is in isolation, the hospital said, and a limited number of medical staff have contact with them.
The other announcements by Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and Singing River Health System said the patients who tested positive were self quarantined but not hospitalized.
11:15 a.m.
The March 18 report from the Center for Disease Control shows a rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases across the state. Today’s cases stand at 7,038, an increase of 2,812 in one day.
The Ocean Springs Spring Arts Festival has been postponed.
11 a.m.
Gulf Islands National Seashore announced that Ship Island Excursions will operate at 50% capacity to allow for recommended six feet between passenger groups, and is increasing cleaning procedures. The park visitor center and the restrooms at the picnic at the picnic pavilions at the Davis Bayou Area are closed. All ranger-led programs and special use permits for activities with 10 or more people are canceled.
10:45 a.m.
Hancock County schools will remain closed next week, March 2-27. While schools are closed, free lunches are available to children 18 and under starting March 23 and can be picked up at South Hancock Elementary and Hancock North Central Elementary from 10 a.m.-noon. Children much be present in the vehicle to receive a grab-and-go meal, but do not need to be a student in Hancock County School District to participate.
10:25 a.m.
Bay St. Louis is the latest city to announce the closing of ball fields and the public restrooms at city recreational facilities. The Community Hall and Old Town Community Center are closed and no reservations are being accepted until they reopen. Public parks are open but CDC guidelines should be followed regarding social distancing, with no more than 10 people in any area.
10 a.m.
The latest count by the Mississippi Health Department shows cases increased to 34 on Wednesday from 21 on Tuesday. The Health Department puts the number of cases in the three Coast counties at 7.
Garden Park Hospital is prohibiting all non-essential visitors. Essential visitors include, one parent or guardian of a child patient, one support person for a labor and delivery, one support person for disabled patients, one support person/driver for outpatient surgeries, and one support person for critically ill patients near the end of life.
7 a.m.
Singing River Health System announces its first positive case of the coronavirus. The person was tested at the SRHS Ocean Springs Clinic and continues to be self-quarantined, the hospital said.
Those who feel ill should call the Singing River hotline at 228-809-5044 to be screened over the phone by a licensed medical provider before going to the hospital or clinic.
Highlights from Tuesday:
▪ 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.
▪ Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes is warning residents, businesses, and civic groups 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. “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.’ “ Police Chief Leonard Papania also said he is postponing his August retirement to help the Coast through the pandemic.
▪ Crawfish Music Festival has been postponed, may be combined with the Summer Fair in June.
▪ 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.
▪ Keesler Air Force Base requests retirees and veterans limit travel to the base for essential medical appointments only.
▪ 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. The Diocese also is extending its school closure to March 27.
▪ Mississippi Gaming Commission has directed that all Bingo games held by charitable organizations must close.
This story will updated throughout the day. Submit your update by emailing mynews@sunherald.com
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Not ‘business as usual.’ What the Coast needs to know about coronavirus on March 18."