New Orleans residents escape to the Coast during coronavirus pandemic, mayors say
The rapid spread of coronavirus in New Orleans has residents escaping to Hancock County, Waveland, Pass Christian and surrounding communities in Mississippi.
“We have major concerns because they have the fastest growing number of cases of this virus and we are the closet to them,” said Bay St. Louis Mayor Mike Favre. “Now, we do have a large amount of second homeowners from New Orleans in our community, but we are seeing way more now with Louisiana shutting down.”
Favre said he and other city leaders are worried the number of coronavirus cases may go up in South Mississippi if more people from New Orleans are in the area.
As of Tuesday, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported a total of 377 cases of coronavirus, with two deaths reported statewide since the first diagnosis came two weeks ago.
Of those, at least 56 cases have been reported in the Coast counties.
During a ride through the city this week, Favre said he noticed more cars than usual with Louisiana tags at grocery stores and other stores that have supplies.
“With them coming over, it’s saturating the market over here,” Favre added. “With a lot more people, it makes it hard on our people to get the things they need.”
Still, Favre, Pass Christian Mayor Chipper McDermott and Hancock County Board President Scotty Jordan pointed out that New Orleans residents have long been a mainstay in their communities.
And the same residents, they said, spend money during normal times in Coast shops, restaurants, bars and casinos.
On Monday, McDermott told Harrison County supervisors that more New Orleans residents are in South Mississippi because of the coronavirus outbreak back home.
But, he pointed out, the city has always had a large number of residents with second homes in the city and they amount to more than 30 percent of the population.
In addition, he said, a number of Louisiana residents come to visit and stay with relatives.
“All of those bigger cities have more cases,” McDermott said. “So, yes, we are concerned, but we are also concerned about our people from New Orleans. They’ve always been a part of our community.”
Orleans Parish’s COVID-19 infection rate is sixth highest in the country.
On Wednesday, the Louisiana State Department of Health reported a total of 1,795 cases of coronavirus and 65 deaths. Of those cases, 827 cases are in New Orleans.
“We are worried about the spread even more because of how much it is spreading,” Favre said. “Now, it’s going to spread just as fast over here with them coming over.”
Since Louisiana Gov. John Edwards issued a stay-at-home order for residents, they’ve seen even more out-of-state residents in Coast communities, and it’s something they expect to continue.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 3:15 PM.
