Live updates April 20: State has 238 new COVID-19 cases; no Coast deaths for third day
Another 238 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the last day in Mississippi, and 10 more people have died.
Sunday saw the biggest spike yet with 300 new cases, and before that the biggest increases were April 15 and 16 with 273 and 264 new cases.
The totals now are 4,512 cases and 169 deaths in the state. The State Department of Health reports 107 of those who died are black, 61 white and 1 of another race.
In the six counties of South Mississippi, the number of deaths remains at 27 for the third day. An additional 13 cases were reported, down from 14 new cases Sunday and 17 on Saturday. Total cases in South Mississippi are 568 compared to 406 one week ago.
MSDH today began reporting the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19, saying there are 359 patients hospitalized, with 189 of them in intensive care.
Total cases in South Mississippi are:
George — 10 (0 new)
Hancock — 53 (1 new)
Harrison — 145 (1 new)
Jackson — 209 (4 new)
Pearl River — 132 (6 new)
Stone — 19 (1 new)
The number of new cases of coronavirus dropped across the nation in the last day and the number of deaths increased.
Monday’s report from the Centers for Disease Control shows 25,995 new cases and 1,881 additional deaths. Sunday’s report showed 29,916 new cases and 1,759 deaths.
The total now is 746,625 cases across the U.S. and 39,083 deaths.
4:24 p.m.
As Gov. Tate Reeves moves closer to lifting his shelter-in-place order from April 1, he wants Mississippians to know that any relaxation of rules does not mean that life will go back to normal while COVID-19 remains a threat.
Reeves relayed his message during his Monday afternoon press conference.
“We’re very hopeful that we can move more and more to opening up more areas,” he said. “But we also most understand if, and when we lift the shelter-in-place order, that it’s not going to be a return to normal as normal existed several months ago.
“We’re going to continue to require social distancing. We’re going to continue to ensure we don’t have groups of more than 10 gathering for social purposes. We’re not going to allow large groups gather on the beach or otherwise. We’re going to move into a long period of moving back toward a normal posture, but nothing like where we were just a few months ago.”
Reeves relaxed some of the guidelines of his shelter-in-place order on April 17, opening up Coast beaches and state lakes. Other businesses can start retail sales through curbside pickup and deliver.
With time, he hopes that more people will be allowed to go back to work.
“It’s going to take time, but I’m confident that our people will do as you’ve been doing the last several weeks,” Reeves said. “The most important thing for you to do is to use common sense. As we look to the future, we recognize that we must give our people the ability to fend for themselves. We can’t make it illegal to work and provide for your family. Certainly not in this country, and certainly not in Mississippi.”
Both Reeves and State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said the curve is flattening in Mississippi, and continuing to socially distance is key to making sure outbreaks don’t crop up in nursing homes and workplaces.
“I want to make sure we don’t go into a state of complacency,” Dobbs said.
“The big box stores are pretty crowded, and it makes me very nervous. People are not wearing masks.”
The CDC and Mississippi leaders recommend everyone wear cloth masks when out in public.
3:55 p.m.
While he hopes to see testing for COVID-19 ramp up in the coming weeks, Gov. Tate Reeves feels as if the state of Mississippi is a success story relative to the rest of the country.
He credited State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs and the work of his team for the relative success.
“Keep in mind that we’ve done over 51,000 tests,” Reeves said. “That means we have done more testing than any other state that hasn’t gotten overwhelming federal government support, resources. For instance, Oregon has a million more people and we’ve done at least 10,000 more tests. Kentucky has two million more people and we’ve done about 20,000 more tests.
“We made a decision to test to our maximum capacity. The scientists at Southern Miss and researchers at UMC stepped up to be able to do significantly more testing. It’s been a real success story for Mississippi in this crisis.”
2:20 p.m.
Jackson County announced today that parks and playgrounds will remain closed through May 4. The landfill on Seaman Road also is closed through May 4, although roadside pick-up will continue on regular schedules.
The tax collector offices in Pascagoula and Ocean Springs will reopen on April 27 only for new vehicle registration and mobile home registrations and with social distancing. Vehicle renewals and current property tax payments should continue to be paid online at jacksoncounty.ms.us, by phone at 228-769-3074, mail, or drop-box.
2 p.m.
Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula reported 2 more coronavirus cases today, bringing the total to 23. These cases are an employee at LPD 28 and an employee in the facilities/maintenance area. Both last worked at the shipyard April 16.
9:30 a.m.
The beaches in Hancock and Jackson counties will remain closed a little longer thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Harrison County beaches are open, but several are under MDEQ contact alerts for high bacteria levels following Sunday night’s heavy rain.
9:15 a.m.
Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services is launching today a free, statewide Helpline to help Mississippi residents ages 18 years old and older with COVID-19 related stress and anxiety. The number is 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight.
9 a.m.
Mississippi State Department of Health announced more than 50,000 people have been tested for coronavirus. The daily testing rate puts Mississippi among the top states in the nation, according to MSDH. The Public Health Lab tested 10,558 residents and hospitals and other providers tested 39,714.
7 a.m.
Singing River Health System reported Sunday night 1 new positive case of coronavirus. The Jackson County hospitals have 19 patients with coronavirus, 6 in the ICU and 13 on the medical/surgical COVID-19 floors. Seven new inpatients are awaiting results. Of the 1,844 tests performed to date, 184 — or 10 percent — have been positive.
Highlights from Sunday:
▪ MSDH reported the highest daily increase so far in COVID-19 cases at 300, with seven new deaths. Two of the deaths were in Pearl River County. Mississippi’s total cases stood at 4,274, with 159 deaths. Four South Mississippi counties reported new cases, with the highest number in Pearl River at 7. South Mississippi had a total of 555 cases and 27 deaths. Stone County has not reported any COVID-19 deaths.
▪ Memorial Hospital at Gulfport announced drive-up COVID-19 screening and testing sites for the coming week and beyond.
Only those who meet medical criteria —flu-like symptoms, including body aches, fever, coughing, sneezing, chills or shortness of breath — will be tested.
All drive-up clinic times are 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. The dates and locations are:
- D’Iberville Civic Center, Tuesday, April 21, 10395 Auto Mall Parkway
- Lyman Community Center, Thursday, April 23, U.S. .49, Gulfport
- West Harrison Civic Center, Friday, April 24, 4670 Espy Ave., Long Beach
- Woolmarket Civic Center, Tuesday, April 28, 16320 Old Woolmarket Rd., Biloxi
For inquiries or other clinic locations, contact the COVID-19 Hotline, 228-867-5000.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 11:34 AM.
