Live updates: Mississippi reports lowest increase in COVID-19 cases since early April

11 a.m. Sunday

As many are celebrating Mother’s Day from a distance, the Mississippi State Department of Health reports 123 new cases and 9 deaths, the lowest single-day increase in cases since early April. The total is now 9,501 cases statewide and 430 deaths.

In the lower six counties, only 1 new case was added Sunday in Hancock County. There were no new deaths.

One county’s total was lowered. On Saturday, the MSDH website showed a new case for Pearl River County with a total of 190, but on Sunday it was back down to 189.

Totals for South Mississippi are:

George — 15 (0)

Hancock — 74 (1 new)

Harrison — 198 (0 new)

Jackson — 275 (0 new)

Pearl River — 189 (-1 from Saturday)

Stone — 24 (0 new)

11 a.m. Saturday

While owners of barber shops, salons and gyms are cleaning and preparing for opening Monday, Mississippi Department of Health reports 288 new cases of coronavirus and 12 new deaths across the state on Saturday.

That brings the total since March 11 to 9,378 cases and 421 deaths statewide.

The Health Department said 61 of the cases today are in long-term care facilities.

South Mississippi has 10 new cases and one additional death in Hancock County. The six Coast counties now have 774 cases and 52 deaths.

Pearl River County has the highest number of deaths in South Mississippi with 24, followed by 11 in Jackson County, 10 in Hancock County, 6 in Harrison County, one in George County and none in Stone County.

Totals for South Mississippi are:

George — 15 (0 new for four days)

Hancock — 73 (1 new)

Harrison — 198 (5 new)

Jackson — 275 (2 new)

Pearl River — 190 (1 new)

Stone — 24 (1 new)

The number of presumed recovered on the Coast is nearing 500, according to Coast resident Larry George, who tracks the numbers. The Health Department reported May 3 the presumed recovered in the state is 4,421. That number is updated weekly.

The Centers for Disease Control reported Saturday 25,996 new cases and 1,557 additional deaths nationwide. Since the pandemic began there have been 1,274,036 cases and 77,034 deaths from the coronavirus in the U.S.

Friday highlights

▪ Mississippi surpassed 9,000 cases of coronavirus Friday 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 on Friday.

▪ 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.

▪ 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 six feet will be observed and bus capacity is limited to 10 passengers at a time.

▪ 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.

▪ 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.

This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 11:30 AM.