Live updates March 30: Jackson County has 5 new coronavirus cases, 89 in the state
5:10
Hancock County sent out a statement Monday reiterating its new policy that gatherings be limited to 10 or few people on beaches.
“Please abide by those prohibitions and limitations on the beaches of Hancock County as we all work to further protect the public from the threat from (COVID-19),” the statement said.
Hancock County will be posting signs on beaches to bring more attention to the matter.
4:50 p.m.
Biloxi’s farmers market will reopen Tuesday, offering produce only. It will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m.-4 p.m. under the I-10 overpass on Howard Avenue. Vendors and customers are asked to practice social distancing and to touch only the produce they buy.
4 p.m.
Keesler Air Force Base will receive its first basic training recruits no earlier than April 7, officials said today.
The Air Force announced last week that Keesler was chosen as an alternate site for basic training as a “proof of concept” during the coronavirus pandemic. About460 new recruits a week will arrive at Keesler beginning April 7.
Maj. Gen. Andrea Tullos, commander of Second Air Force at Keesler, said Keesler was selected because the students can complete basic training and then move directly into tech training in Biloxi without having to expose them to commercial transportation. Keesler’s medical capability and training space also were factors, she said.
For those who ask why the Air Force is still doing basic training during the pandemic Tullos replied, “Quite simply because we’re our nation’s 911.”
3:20 p.m.
The Jackson County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day scheduled for April 25 has been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
3 p.m.
Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula reported today that one employee at LBTF has tested positive for coronavirus. The employee’s last day in the yard was March 20.
The total now is 8, with 2 additional employees testing positive Saturday: One employee, NSC 9, was last in the yard March 20, and the other at DDG 125, was last in the yard March 25.
1:10 p.m.
Emergency food assistance is available to families impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Those who receive SNAP benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will get additional benefits for March and April, once eligibility for SNAP is determined.
For example, a one-person SNAP household currently entitled to receive $100 will receive an additional $94 for both March and April 2020.
Those not currently receiving SNAP benefits may apply for benefits online.
All MDHS county office lobbies are closed as a precaution for COVID-19. Complete the application for food assistance online at mdhs.ms.gov/applications and select “SNAP/TANF Prescreening Application” and follow the instructions.
11:50 a.m.
The number of cases of coronavirus cases in the United States increased by 2,405 today and now stands at 140,904, according to the Center for Disease Control.
An additional 293 people died from the virus in the last day, bringing the total deaths in the country to 2,405.
Two weeks ago on March 16 there were 3,487 cases and 71 deaths.
10:10 a.m.
As many people in South Mississippi start their third week at home, the cases of coronavirus across the state increased by 89, according to today’s report from the Mississippi State Department of Health, with 2 new deaths.
The Coast has 128 cases and 2 deaths — one in Hancock County and one in Harrison County.
Mississippi now has 847 cases with 16 deaths. There now are 2 deaths in the 40-49 age category, 4 among age 60-69 and 10 age 70 or older.
Across the six Coast counties, there was no increase in cases in George, Hancock and Pearl River counties on Monday and Stone County still has no reported cases.
Cases increased by 1 in Harrison County and by 5 in Jackson County on Monday.
For the past 7 days, Jackson County has seen the biggest increase in cases at 29, followed by Harrison County with 20 new cases since March 24, Pearl River with 14 new cases, Hancock with 10 and George County with 2 new cases in the last week.
The totals are:
George County — 3
Hancock County — 15
Harrison County — 44
Jackson County — 39
Pearl River County — 27
Stone County — 0
7 a.m.
Today is National Doctor’s Day.
At Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, CEO Kent Nicaud said in a note to his staff, “We recognize the extraordinary and exemplary work you are doing to combat this pandemic, as well as the steps you are taking to protect and restore health within our communities. We look forward to getting through this together and celebrating brighter days ahead.”
Highlights from Sunday
▪ Another 95 people across Mississippi have the coronavirus and 18 more on the Coast, according to the State Department of Health.
▪ There was 1 new death in the state, putting the total at 14 who have died from the virus. One person age 40-49 has died, and is the first death in Mississippi under the age of 70.
▪ Sunday’s report showed 6 new cases in Hancock County, 5 more in Harrison County, 4 more in Pearl River County and 1 more in Jackson County.
▪ Across the nation there were 444 more deaths from the coronavirus and 19,332 new cases across the U.S. The total stands at 122,653 cases nationwide and 2,112 deaths.
▪ Over the last 7 days more than 1 million new cases of COVID-19 have been reported and 1,911 additional deaths.
▪ Moss Point Mayor Mario King issued an order for a curfew in the city from 11 p.m. To 6 a.m. King said the city will enforce the governor’s order that churches be limited to groups of no more than 10 people. He recommends all churches suspend in-person services
This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 10:25 AM.