Live updates May 20: South Mississippi has 7 new coronavirus cases as state nears 12,000

Ten weeks since the first coronavirus case was reported in Mississippi, the state Health Department reported today 263 new cases and 16 additional deaths.

South Mississippi has 7 new cases and 0 new deaths, for a total of 831 cases and 57 deaths.

Since the first case was identified March 11 near Hattiesburg, 11,967 people have tested positive for coronavirus statewide and 570 people have died.

The health department’s count of presumed recoveries stands at 7,681 through May 17.

South Mississippi’s number of cases rose steadily in April, from 157 on April 1 to 693 on April 30 for an increase of 536 cases.

May’s increase has been more gradual, from 717 on May 1 to 831 on May 20, an increase of 114.

Total cases in South Mississippi are:

George — 19 (0 new for two days)

Hancock — 81 (0 new for three days)

Harrison — 220 (2 new)

Jackson — 288 (1 new)

Pearl River — 197 (2 new)

Stone — 26 (2 new)

3:30 p.m.

Coast Transit Authority is eliminating the 10 person per bus capacity limit in response to Gov. Tate Reeve’s executive order. Safeguards remain in effect. All passengers are required to have their mouth and nose covered and practice social distancing Hand sanitizer is available on the CTA buses and at the CTA facilities.

2 p.m.

Harrison County Fairgrounds staff got the go-ahead from the county supervisors to reopen for outdoor activities and events, which must comply with Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive orders and CDC recommendations.

9 a.m.

Free masks will be available to the community Saturday from the Jackson County branch of the Mississippi NAACP.

The giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of MLK and Main Street in Moss Point.

Contact NAACP President Curley Clark at chclark@cableone.net for more information.

8:30 a.m.

Hancock County Supervisors has authorized the reopening of restrooms adjacent to the Washington Street pier and at the Cedar Point boat launch. The County will sanitize the bathrooms daily. Those using the facilities are required to follow guidelines and keep the facility clean after use.

7 a.m.

The Biloxi Visitors Center will reopen on Friday morning. The galleries, exhibits and theater will remain closed for now but brochures and other information will be available.

Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich signed his sixth executive order Tuesday that opens churches and museums. The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum will open Thursday and the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum on Friday, at the start of Memorial Day Weekend.

Tuesday’s highlights

▪ Mississippi saw a jump in new coronavirus cases Tuesday, with 272 cases and 27 new deaths, the highest numbers of deaths in one day since May 6.

Totals statewide are 11,704 cases with 554 deaths. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 45 of the new cases are in long-term care facilities.

South Mississippi has 4 new cases and one new death in Pearl River County. That brings the total to 824 cases and 57 deaths in South Mississippi.

▪ Singing River Health System reported Monday night the hospitals have performed 3,793 COVID tests, with 235 or 6% of them returned as positive. In the last 24 hours,were 2 positives.

This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 11:36 AM.