Live coronavirus updates April 25: 284 new cases reported in Mississippi

Another death was reported Saturday in Pearl River County, raising the death toll from coronavirus in South Mississippi to 32. This is the third consecutive day the toll has risen in Pearl River County.

Today’s report from the Mississippi Health Department shows 284 new cases and 12 deaths statewide. Friday the state reported 281 new cases and eight deaths. There have been 221 deaths in the state.

Total cases now stands at 5,718 in Mississippi and 625 in South Mississippi.

South Mississippi has 10 new cases today.

Total cases in South Mississippi are:

• George — 11 (0 new)
• Hancock — 59 (3 new)
• Harrison — 158 (1 new)
• Jackson — 237 (2 new)
• Pearl River — 148 (4 new)
• Stone — 22 (0 new)

1 p.m.

The Coast Transit Authority announced it will reestablish the fixed route bus service Tuesday, April 28.

The CTA will operate fixed route bus services on all routes from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There will not be any service on Sunday. They will abide by the following restrictions:

• Fixed routes will operate on a 90-minute schedule.
• Standard fare collection schedule will be in place
• Passengers must keep their mouth and nose covered at all times when on a bus or in passenger waiting facilities
• Bus and facility capacity will be limited to 10 passengers at a time
• Purpose of trips shall be limited to medical, nutrition and employment
• Social distancing will be observed
• Passenger Code of Conduct rules will be enforced

10 a.m.

D’Iberville has rescinded their stay-at-home order and will comply with the governor’s safer at home order on Monday, the city released Saturday.

All businesses are allowed to open at the retailer’s discretion, but will need to comply by all CDC and Mississippi Department of Health guidelines. Businesses are told to limit the number of customers In stores to less than 50% capacity.

Although businesses are able to be reopened, restaurants and bars will still be limited to drive-thru, curbside and delivery.

Fitness and exercise gyms, dance studios, clubs, tattoo parlors, spas, salons, barber shops, and all other personal care and grooming facilities shall remain closed to the public. Drive-thru, curbside, and delivery of sales of merchandise is allowed.

Parking lot church services may be held with parishioners remaining in vehicles. The Governor asks that church services continue to be held online and remotely.

Friday highlights

▪ Friday’s report from the Mississippi Health Department shows 281 new cases and 8 deaths statewide. That compares to 259 cases and 8 deaths on Thursday.

Total cases now stand at 5,434 in the state and 625 in South Mississippi. MSDH says the number of people hospitalized has risen to 401.

South Mississippi has 16 new cases Friday compared to 17 new on Thursday. After holding at 10 cases for six days, George County has 1 more case today.

▪ Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes announced that his city will follow Gov. Tate Reeves’ “Safer At Home” order and allow retail stores to open at 8 a.m. Monday, with one exception.

Instead of allowing retail stores to allow 50% of their usual capacity into the store, Gulfport will limit that to 20%.

▪ The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service today reported 88 million people received $158 billion in Economic Impact Payments in the first three weeks

In Mississippi 804,317 payments were made totaling $1.5 billion.

▪ Another 35,843 people in Mississippi filed first time unemployment claims for the week of April 18, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That compares to 45,748 first time claims for April 11.

In the six counties of South Mississippi, 30,098 first time unemployment claims have been filed since the week ending March 21.

▪ Gov. Tate Reeves Friday delayed the expiration of all valid drivers licenses, intermediate licenses, learners permits, firearm permits, security guard permits and ID cards. Those that were set to expire between March 14 and June 30 now are extended through Aug. 3.

This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 10:58 AM.