Live updates April 19: Mississippi has biggest increase so far with 300 new COVID-19 cases

12:25 p.m.

The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting 300 news cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths.

This brings Mississippi’s total cases to 4,274, with 159 deaths, since the first novel coronavirus case was reported on March 11.

This is the single highest increase in cases for one day, with the number being reported for the end of the day Saturday.

The previous high was 273 new cases reported Wednesday. The highest number of deaths reported was on Tuesday, when the MSDH said 13 people had died.

Four South Mississippi counties reported new cases, with the highest number in Pearl River at 7. South Mississippi now has a total of 555 cases and 27 deaths. Stone County has not reported any COVID-19 deaths.

Here is an update on South Mississippi cases, by county:

George — 10 (0 new)

Hancock — 52 (2 new)

Harrison — 144 (0 new)

Jackson — 205 (4 new)

Pearl River — 126 (7 new)

Stone — 17 (1 new)

10:40 a.m.

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport has announced drive-up COVID-19 screening and testing sites for the coming week.

The screenings are conducted because only those who meet medical criteria —flu-like symptoms, including body aches, fever, coughing, sneezing, chills or shortness of breath — will be tested.

Insurance will be billed for testing, for those who have insurance, but no copay is due at the time of the visit. The uninsured will need to discuss options with on-site clinical staff

Here are details on the times, dates and locations for testing:

▪ D’Iberville Civic Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 10395 Auto Mall Parkway.

▪ Lyman Community Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Thursday, April 23, U.S. .49, Gulfport.

▪ West Harrison Civic Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, April 24, 4670 Espy Ave., Long Beach.

▪ Woolmarket Civic Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 16320 Old Woolmarket Road, Biloxi.

For inquiries or other clinic locations, contact the COVID-19 Hotline, 228-867-5000.

Highlights from Saturday:

▪ Three deaths from coronavirus were reported in South Mississippi, including the first one in George County since the pandemic began and two more in Pearl River County. There are now 27 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths in South Mississippi and 152 deaths in the state.

▪ Total cases across the state now stand at 3,974, with the addition of 181 more cases in Saturday’s report. A week ago, there were 2,642 cases.

▪ Bay St. Louis Mayor Michael Favre has joined other Coast cities in extending the 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. coronavirus curfew indefinitely.

▪ Ingalls Shipbuilding and Stennis Space Center each reported another coronavirus case, bringing the total to 20 at Ingalls and 11 at Stennis.

This story was originally published April 19, 2020 at 11:51 AM.