Reeves holds off on reopening businesses after Mississippi sees spike in COVID-19 cases
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves was prepared to reopen more businesses in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but he said Friday that a sudden increase in cases and deaths changed his mind.
Reeves announced his decision to hold steady under his “Safer at Home” order during his weekday news conference.
“Today, I was prepared to announce further reopenings,” Reeves said. “That was the plan and I was excited to get more of our people back to work. We have to get businesses back and we have to get back to normal life. There are still a few industries that are forced to be closed, and I absolutely hate that. It eats me alive every day.
“We make the decision today based on the information we have available.”
Friday morning, the Mississippi State Health Department announced 397 new cases of COVID-19 and 20 deaths — the highest single-day increase in both numbers since reporting began March 11.
Reeves said that one reason for the spike in numbers is a review of previous death certificates that are now considered related to COVID-19.
“I was ready to change our order today, but I needed to take the latest information into account,” he said. “This is a large enough change to take a step back and look at the board. I’ve come to the conclusion that I must hold on for now and consider it at least over the weekend.”
Reeves announced a “Safer at Home” order a week ago that eased some guidelines under a previous shelter-in-place order, including opening retail stores while limiting capacity.
Amusement and entertainment businesses remain closed, including casinos, theaters, bars and museums. Places that cannot avoid social contact, including salons, gyms, spas and tattoo parlors, also remain closed.
Reeves’ current executive order is set to expire at 8 a.m. May 11.
State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said during the news conference that the high case count serves as “a powerful reminder that this is far from over.”
He urged residents to wear masks when in public, have only one family member shop for essential items and avoid groups, even of extended family. The elderly and people with underlying health conditions should continue to stay home, he said.
The increase in cases, Dobbs said, can be attributed in large part to “random community transmission.”
He said counties with the largest increases in COVID cases are Scott, Neshoba, Leake, and, to a lessor degree, Newton. All four counties are in central Mississippi.
Dobbs also said hospital numbers are up, with 504 hospitalized, 75 on ventilators and 116 in intensive care units from COVID-19.
“The more every single person does of their own volition to be safe helps all of us so we can get back to normal,” Dobbs said.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 2:54 PM.
