Live updates April 3: Coast sees biggest spike yet with 45 new coronavirus cases
7 p.m.
Thursday night was the first night of the curfew in Biloxi. According to the city, police had a number of traffic stops and had to disperse a crowd at Hiller Park gathered for a party. The party was later moved to a residence where Biloxi Police arrested an organizer, the city said in their newsletter.
Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said plans are in the works to limit the hours of Hiller Park and police are also going to be monitoring the beachfront boardwalks.
6 p.m.
▪ Feeding the Gulf Coast and The Mississippi Public Health Institute will host a drive-thru food distribution from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, at First Baptist Church of Biloxi. Families who need also can call 888-704-FOOD.
▪ The Jackson County landfill on Seaman Road is closed indefinitely starting Saturday.
▪ Winn-Dixie will close on Easter Sunday “to provide hardworking associates a day of rest with family and loved ones,” parent company Southeastern Grocers said in a press release.
▪ The Blood Center, along with the Jackson County and Ocean Springs chambers of commerce and Singing River Health System are holding a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA on Government Street in Ocean Springs. Appointments are required to be scheduled ahead of time.
3:30 p.m.
Tate Reeves held a press conference ahead of Mississippi’s shelter-in-place order Friday. The order goes into effect at 5 p.m.
“We can rally together. We are not afraid of hard moments, we step up in hard times,” Reeves said. “I’m here to tell you that this virus is bad. Previous was called to world wars, we’re called to stay home for a while.”
Reeves’ new order places new limitations on public gatherings, including the closing of all public parks and beaches.
“It must be taken seriously, lives are on the line,” Reeves said.
The total coronavirus cases now stands at 1,358 in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health reports 29 deaths in the state. According to the governor, over 16,000 tests have been administered.
Mississippi Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said that this is “crunch time” for the state. He said that they are anticipating a surge over the next few weeks.
Even with the shelter-in-place order, Dobbs said deaths could reach over 1,000.
“What we do now to prevent transmission will save lives,” Dobbs said.
One of the state’s focuses is making sure Mississippi’s healthcare system isn’t overwhelmed.
Healthcare and supplies
Gregory Michel, director of Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said that the agency has had more personal protective equipment (PPE) starting to come in “at more comfortable levels.”
Michel said that on Friday 75,000 masks came in along with wipes and hand sanitizer. He said a “large push of supplies” is going out to 67 tier one hospitals.
The governor also stated that they need “every medical resource available to Mississippi.”
“If you are a respiratory therapist or nurse and you are ready to come back to work, now is the time to think about that,” Reeves said.
As for schools, there has been no decision to close schools at this time.
“We will make a decision about schools In the coming days and weeks,” Reeves said.
Presidential disaster declaration
Reeves also requested a presidential major disaster declaration this week from the federal government. This will ask to acquire necessary federal assets and resources to support Mississippi’s COVID-19 response.
The disaster declaration will provide access to expanded mental healthcare, supplement the efforts of tribal healthcare workers and provide grants to reduce the risk of loss of life or property during future emergencies. It will also make available legal assistance to low-income Mississippians, expand food assistance and other services to low-income households impacted by COVID-19 and more, according to the governor’s office.
2:15 p.m.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College announced that courses have transitioned to online and all residence halls will be closed for the remainder of the spring semester. The college is working on a plan to allow students to return to their residence hall rooms to collect their belongings after the governor’s shelter-in-place order is lifted.
Efforts are being made to reschedule graduation ceremonies that were scheduled for May 13 and 14.
12:15 p.m.
The number of new cases and deaths in the U.S. from the coronavirus flattened out slightly on Friday.
The Center for Disease Control reports 26,135 new cases, compared to 27,043 new cases on Thursday. There were 930 additional deaths on Friday, compared to 910 on Thursday.
Total cases are 239,279 and deaths from coronavirus across the nation and 5,443 deaths.
11:27 a.m.
The April court term of the 19th Circuit Court District of Mississippi , which serves George, Greene and Jackson counties, is canceled due to the coronavirus. The term was scheduled to begin on April 13. Gov. Tate Reeves signed a shelter in place executive order that begins on April 3. The circuit judge will re-evaluate by April 30 whether it is safe to open the term. The courthouse and circuit clerk’s office shall remain open for regular business and filings.
10 a.m.
A spike in the numbers of coronavirus cases was reported today, with 181 new cases of coronavirus in the state — with 18 more in Jackson County and 16 new cases in Harrison County.
The totals now stand at 1,358 in Mississippi and 217 in the six Coast counties.
Mississippi State Department of Health reports 29 deaths from the virus statewide and 3 on the Coast, with one each in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson County.
Today’s report also shows coronavirus outbreaks in 2 long-term care facilities in Hancock County and 1 LTC in Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River counties.
Total cases in South Mississippi are:
George County — 4 (0 new)
Hancock County — 28 (6 new)
Harrison County — 69 (16 new)
Jackson County — 75 (18 new)
Pearl River County — 41 (5 new)
Stone County — 0
9:45 a.m.
Gov. Tate Reeves requested a Major Federal Disaster Declaration from President Donald Trump for COVID-19. If approved, it will activate the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Individual Assistance Program for all counties. Financial and crisis counseling would be available to those who suffered economic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
8:35 a.m.
All islands managed by the National Park Service, including Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, Horn, and Ship islands and the NPS-owned portions of Cat Island, are closed. Park waters surrounding the Mississippi islands remain open, where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidelines. The Davis Bayou Area also is closed.
8 a.m.
Jackson County School District won’t be serving its breakfast/lunch program over spring break, April 6–10. Superintendent John Strycker said the district will help those who need food assistance, if necessary.
“After the break, we will review the current status for school closures and will adjust our food program as needed,” he said. “We will do what it takes to make sure our students are not hungry. “
7:30 a.m.
Singing River Health System reports the majority of people hospitalized with coronavirus at this point contracted it from their neighbor, friend or family member, not a coworker. The hospital put out a virus alert that friends and families are spreading the virus during small family and neighborhood gatherings.
SRHS has tested 875 people for coronavirus as of April 2, with 76 positive results, or 8.7% of the people tested. SRHS said 14 people were hospitalized.
The state testing laboratory has tested 5,254 as of April 1, with 504 positive results, a 9.6% positive rate.
7:15 a.m.
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker has launched a coronavirus resources webpage for Mississippians, with links to information for individuals and businesses. It’s here.
Highlights from Thursday:
▪ Three weeks and one day after the first novel coronavirus case was reported in Mississippi, the state has 1,177 total cases, with 172 in the five southernmost counties. The sixth, Stone County, still had no reported cases. Jackson County had the highest number of cases in South Mississippi at 57, followed by Harrison with 53..
▪ Gov. Tate Reeves directed four cruise ships docked at the state Port of Gulfport to leave.
▪ Gautier is the latest city to set an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and limit the number of people in businesses allowed to remain open.
▪ A fourth Biloxi firefighter tested positive for COVID-19.
▪ An additional 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits in the last week, the U.S. Labor Department said, the second week to set a nationwide record. For the week ending March 21, 3.3 million unemployment claims were filed.
▪ Coast Transit Authority announced suspension of all fixed-route bus service beginning on Friday.
▪ The Mississippi State Health Department has announced a drive-thru testing site from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pearl River County Health Department in Carriere.
Testing is free but prior screening for symptoms is required. Make an appointment by downloading and using the C Spire Health app. If you do not have a smart phone, call 601-496-7200.
This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 10:20 AM.