New record for coronavirus in Mississippi with 404 new cases, pushing total over 9,000

Mississippi surpassed 9,000 cases of coronavirus today in dramatic fashion, adding a record 404 new cases and 13 deaths in the last day.

The previous record was 397 cases reported on May 1.

Total cases for the state stands at 9,090 cases and 404 deaths with the addition of 13 deaths today.

Mississippi Department of Health reported 3 of the deaths were from prior weeks identified through investigation into death certificates.

The Health Department said 54 of the new cases were among residents in long-term care facilities.

South Mississippi’s numbers didn’t see a similar peak, except in Harrison County, which reported 5 new cases. Jackson and Pearl River counties each had 1 new case for 7 new cases for the day and a total of 765. No new deaths were reported, keeping the total at 51 in South Mississippi.

Cases in South Mississippi are:

George — 15 (0 new for three days)

Hancock — 72 (0 new for two days)

Harrison — 193 (5 new)

Jackson — 273 (1 new)

Pearl River — 189 (1 new)

Stone — 23 (0 new for three days)

Other information included in today’s report from the state Health Department includes:

• 4,421 people are presumed recovered from the coronavirus in the state through May 3.
• 59% of the cases statewide are women, 41% men
• 19 percent of people with coronavirus are hospitalized
• 119 of the men who died of coronavirus in Mississippi were black, 79 white, 2 other
• 96 of the women who died of coronavirus in Mississippi were black, 91 white, 1 other race
• 80,308 coronavirus tests have been conducted statewide
• 1 person age 18-29 and 7 people ages 30-39 have died of coronavirus in the state
• 88 cases and 12 deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities in South Mississippi

4:14 p.m.

The 60-day suspension on disconnections for Pascagoula Utilities customers will end May 14, the City of Pascagoula released Friday. Lock off procedures and all normal policies will resume June 1.

Accounts with a balance 30 days past due are subject to be locked off and customers will need to make arrangements prior to the day services are turned off.

Pascagoula Utilities can be reached at (228) 938-6633 for questions regarding utility accounts. Customers can also view current billing, past billings, and make payments online at cityofpascagoula.com.

3 p.m.

Coast Transit Authority is back to operating 45/90-minute routes Monday through Saturday starting May 11. There still is no Sunday service and only one trolley on the casino hopper route. Fixed route ADA service will be available during the times that fixed routes operate. Passengers must wear a face mask over their mouth and nose at all times when on a bus. Social distancing of 6 feet will be observed and bus capacity is limited to 10 passengers at a time.

Details: 228-896-8080 or coasttransit.com

2:30 p.m.

Gov. Tate Reeves issued an executive order allowing barbershops, salons and gyms to open beginning at 8 a.m. May 11, after the facilities have been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Staff and customers must wear face masks and many other precautions are required.

1:20 p.m.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today released updated state-by-state figures for Economic Impact Payments. About 130 million people received $200 billion in payments in the program’s first four weeks.

In Mississippi, 1.2 million people received $2.1 billion in payments.

Noon

The attendance rate during the pandemic has been 70% to 75% at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula and at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, Mike Petters, HII’s chief executive, said in a conference call.

Inside Defense reported that Petters said school closures is the main reason some people aren’t working, and a way has to be found so parents can be comfortable sending their children to school.

Ingalls Shipbuilding reported 1 new case of coronavirus Friday, an employee who worked drydock and whose last day in the yard was May 1. Of the 39 cases at the shipyard, 26 are cleared to return to work.

10 a.m.

Jackson-George Regional Library System will offer free Library By Mail in addition to the curbside pickup service. Library patrons can email librarybymail@jgrls.org or call the library and ask for staff assistance or place materials on hold from the online catalog at www.jgrls.org.

Books and tapes can be checked out for three weeks and can be renewed if there are no holds on the items. Up to 10 items per transaction can be checked out and up to 25 items per household. For information call the main library at 228-769-3060.

8 a.m.

Commercial fishing, charter/for-hire businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, processors, and parts of the seafood sector in coastal states and territories are among those eligible to apply for $300 million in economic relief to U.S. fishermen and seafood industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will work with the three Interstate Marine Fishery Commissions to deliver financial assistance into the hands of those who need it.

Thursday Highlights

▪ The Mississippi State Department of Health Thursday added 8 deaths to the count in South Mississippi, bringing the total in the six counties to 51. The report said 9 of the 22 additional deaths statewide were from the review of prior death certificates. It’s unknown if these new deaths in South Mississippi were current or occurred over the past several weeks.

▪ State leaders plan to work quickly to distribute $100 million in CARES Act funds for the COVID-19 pandemic to small businesses in Mississippi. The Legislature hopes to have a bill passed by early next week that will establish as least one program to assist small businesses with funding, state leaders said.

▪ Mississippi has a new website where people can buy a side of beef, a basket of blueberries or a jar of honey direct from the rancher, farmer or beekeeper. Mississippi Farm Marketplace website connects consumers and farmers to make sure people in Mississippi can get fresh food during the coronavirus pandemic.

This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 11:42 AM.