Live updates April 16: Coronavirus cases top 500 in South Mississippi; 2 testing sites open
The number of new coronavirus cases in South Mississippi now tops 500, with 24 more cases in the last day.
Mississippi State Department of Health reported 204 new cases and 7 additional deaths, a lower increase than Wednesday’s 273 cases and 11 deaths.
Totals for the state are 3,624 cases since March 11 and 129 deaths.
South Mississippi has 509 cases and 23 deaths.
The MSDH count of coronavirus deaths in the lower six counties stayed at 23 for the fourth straight day, although Singing River Health Systems reported an additional death on Wednesday night. That person may not have lived in South Mississippi, or the additional death may not yet be reflected in the state report.
Total cases in South Mississippi are:
George — 8 (0 new)
Hancock — 50 (1 new)
Harrison — 134 (5 new)
Jackson — 189 (7 new)
Pearl River — 112 (10 new)
Stone — 16 (1 new)
2:30 p.m.
Today’s report from the Centers for Disease Control shows 27,158 new cases of coronavirus in the U.S. and 2,430 additional deaths.
Totals now are 632,548 cases and 27,012 deaths since the pandemic began.
Noon
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today was named as a member of President Donald Trump’s task force on economic recovery.
The task force is comprised of members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to advise the president as he works to re-open America in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
10:50 a.m.
Long Beach Mayor George Bass has extended the curfew indefinitely, due to the coronavirus. The curfew is from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes also has extended the curfew indefinitely.
7:40 a.m.
For those who are cleaning their yards during the coronavirus shelter-in-place, the state has lifted the burn ban.
7:30 a.m.
Singing River Health System reported late Wednesday 4 more people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total positives to 172 of 1,688 tested. An elderly person with multiple health issues died, said CEO Lee Bond, “in spite of our valiant efforts to pull off an extreme miracle.”
7 a.m.
Drive-thru testing centers for coronavirus will be open today from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Biloxi Civic Center, 578 Howard Ave., Biloxi and from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mosaic Church, 2016 Bienville Blvd. (U.S. 90) in Ocean Springs. Only those with symptoms will be tested.
Highlights from Wednesday:
▪ 273 more positive cases in the state and 11 more deaths reported. There were 25 new cases just in Jackson County.
Totals for the state are 3,360 cases of coronavirus since March 11 and 122 deaths.
▪ Gulfport extended its curfew due to the coronavirus until further notice, the mayor’s office has announced. The curfew runs from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily.
▪The Internal Revenue Service launched a website to help track the status of American’s coronavirus stimulus payments.
▪ Mississippi Community College Foundation has received a grant of $310,000 from the Woodward Hines Education Foundation to Mississippi community college students impacted by COVID-19 stay on track toward graduation.
▪ Gov. Tate Reeves announced he will not have a press briefing on Thursday. The governor will be attending a meeting with the other governors President Donald Trump and the COVID-19 task force.
▪ Gov. Tate Reeves announced further efforts to support homeowners and first responders during the COVID-19 outbreak.
▪ Coastal Family Health Center is offering free drive-thru testing. The health center’s mobile unit will be in Ocean Springs at the Mosaic Church parking lot on U.S. 90 Thursday April 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-screening will be done and only those meeting the criteria will be tested.
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 10:36 AM.