Live updates for March 19: Harrison, Pearl River counties have most coronavirus cases

The latest count is 50 cases of coronavirus in the state and 11 on the Coast with one death in Hanock County and 602 people tested statewide.

The new numbers released by the Mississippi State Department of Health show three new cases in Harrison County, one in Jackson County and three in Pearl River County.

On the Coast there are now seven cases in Harrison County, two in Hancock County and two in Jackson County.

Harrison and Pearl River counties each have seven cases, the most in the state. There are still no reported cases in George and Stone counties and no reported deaths in the state.

That is an increase of 16 in one day, the largest increase since the first case was reported in Mississippi on March 11.

By yesterday, March 18, the count had climbed to 34 cases. Nationwide cases have spiked from 938 cases on March 11 to 7,038 on March 18, according to the Center for Disease Control.

8 p.m.

Singing River Health System said it has had six positive cases, and four people are hospitalized.

The hospitals have tested 70 patients so far, and 16 results have not yet come back.

“We are now receiving lab results back within 24 hours or less in some cases,” SRHS said in a press release.

4 p.m.

A Hancock County man is the first person to die with COVID-19 in Mississippi, state health officials announced. The man, in his 60s with a chronic underlying health condition, died at a Louisiana hospital.

Memorial Hospital announced it’s closing on-site access for customer service, bill pay, outpatient pharmacy and medical records.

Driver’s license stations are still closed to the public, but the nine Mississippi Highway Patrol stations are now offering commercial testing in addition to other commercial license transactions and renewals.

1:30

The Pass Christian Library will remain closed through Sunday. For updates, log on to Harrison County Library System at Harrison.lib.ms.us. A temporary little free library is set up outside. Wi-FI is accessible outside the building.

12:40

The movie theater, Biloxi Premiere LUX Cine & Pizza Pub at Edgewater Mall, just announced it is closing.

The Cinemark 16 movie theater in Gulfport and The Grand Theater in D’Iberville closed Wednesday, according to their websites.

12:13 p.m.

The number of coronavirus cases across the U.S. stands at 10,442, according to the Center for Disease Control, with 150 deaths.

That is 3,404 additional cases in one day and 53 additional deaths. Part of the reason for the rapid increase in cases, medical professional say, is that laboratories are able to complete more tests each day with new equipment.

10:30

Gov. Tate Reeves orders all schools statewide closed until at least April 17.

10:06 a.m.

Th Missisippi State Department of Health released the latest totals.

9:20 a.m.

Mississippi Lottery Corporation is switching to mail-in claims starting Monday and until further notice. Players who win $600 to $99,999 should complete a winner claim form on the lottery website at mslotteryhome.com under “Players Corner”) and mail it in with proper (ID) and the original signed ticket and the other required information to the Mississippi Lottery Corporation, PO Box 321462, Flowood, MS 39232. Winning tickets under $600, are paid at the retailers or the signed ticket can be mailed to MLC Headquarters. Players may also hold their winning ticket until the claim center reopens. To schedule an appointment call MLC headquarters at (601)-500-0482.

7 a.m.

Singing River Health Systems announced Wednesday night that a patient, transferred to Ocean Springs Hospital from another hospital, tested positive for the coronavirus. The person required higher-level care available at Singing River, according to the press release.

SRHS performed 11 new tests Wednesday and received 8 negative test results back from the lab as of 5 p.m.

Top stories from Wednesday:

▪ 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 ordered bars to close and restaurants to be take-out only.

▪ Law enforcement agencies are adapting to coronavirus risks.

▪ The Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport reports its first case from a civilian employee at the Naval Exchange.

▪ The first known person on the Coast to be hospitalized was announced by Merit Health Biloxi.

▪ Ocean Springs Spring Arts Festival has been postponed.

▪ Garden Park Hospital is prohibiting all non-essential visitors.

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

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 10:16 AM with the headline "Live updates for March 19: Harrison, Pearl River counties have most coronavirus cases."