Live updates: Nearly 20 new COVID-19 cases on Coast as MS has second-highest increase

Going into the Memorial Day weekend, Mississippi reached its second highest one-day total of new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began 10 weeks ago.

New cases jumped to 402 on Friday from 255 Thursday. It was second only to the record of 404 new cases on May 8 in Mississippi.

The state Health Department reported 16 new deaths, 3 of them from reviews of death certificate reports between May 1-12. None of the deaths were in South Mississippi.

State totals stand at 12,624 cases and 596 deaths

The six lower counties had 19 new cases Friday, the biggest increase since May 14.

There now are 856 cases and 57 deaths in South Mississippi. The Health Department says 92 of the cases and 17 deaths were in long term care facilities in South Mississippi.

Total cases in South Mississippi are:

George — 19 (0 new for four days)

Hancock— 86 (5 new)

Harrison — 230 (6 new)

Jackson — 291 (0 new for two days)

Pearl River — 203 (6 new)

Stone — 27 (2 new)

2:30 p.m.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director Gregory Michel reported the state spent $62 million to purchase PPE, or personal protection equipment, and run the operation since the pandemic began in March.

More than 10 million items were purchased, he said, and the state can account for every item and dollar spent.

The state’s stockpile was smaller than it needed to be, he said, and Mississippi was competing to buy the necessary equipment with every state, the country and the world.

The process to acquire the equipment “was unconventional but it was not irresponsible,” he said. The state found vendors who could work with Chinese companies that produced the equipment, he said, and also could get the shipments on cargo planes.

Michel said during Gov. Tate Reeve’s afternoon press conference that MEMA’s strategy was very aggressive and very costly. Prices are beginning to stabilize, he said, but items like medical gowns are hard to get, and sometimes the state has only 2-3 days of stock. The National Guard delivers the PPE to hospitals that need them throughout the state.

Michel said the state will continue to stockpile for the anticipated resurgence of the coronavirus in the fall and is putting out bids to buy the equipment.

12:05 p.m.

The Mississippi High School Activities Associated will allow summer athletics and activities to resume on June 1 under some restrictions.

▪ School athletics and fine arts activity programs can begin summer practices, workouts, skill development, weightlifting, conditioning and rehearsals for student-athletes and fine arts participants on June 1, pending Gov. Tate Reeves’ upcoming announcement on a date to reopen all Mississippi school facilities. Coaches and activity directors must confirm with their school and/or district administrators that a specific school facility is open and available for use.

▪ Competition in athletics and activities between or among MHSAA member or non-member schools and/or teams is canceled until school resumes in the fall.

▪ All practices, workouts, skill development, weightlifting, conditioning and rehearsals shall be considered voluntary for student athletes and activities participants.

▪ School team and school activities participation and travel to summer programs and/or team camps are not allowed. On-campus summer programs and/or school camps should adhere to national, state and local COVID-19 health recommendations.

8 a.m.

Residents of Pearl River counties and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 next week as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi State Department of Health continue efforts to stem virus transmission by setting up one-day, drive-through collection sites.

Testing is Thursday, May 28, at Pearl River County Health Department, 7547 U.S. 11, Carriere.

Anyone can be tested who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat, or who has a known or potential exposure to someone confirmed with the virus.

Those who want to be tested must first get an appointment by going through a free screening with the C Spire Health telehealth smartphone app or by phone at (601) 496-7200.

Thursday’s highlights

▪ The Mississippi State Health Department reported 255 new cases of COVID-19, including six in South Mississippi, and 10 new deaths on Thursday.

After a four-day stretch where three or fewer new cases were reported on the Coast, there were 7 on Wednesday and 6 on Thursday. Four new cases are reported in Harrison County and three in Jackson County. There were no new deaths reported in the state’s southernmost six counties with only one announced in the last seven days.

▪ The Jackson County Chapter of the NAACP is handing out free masks Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the corner of Main Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Moss Point.

Curley Clark, presidents of the local chapter, said the group is giving away 1,000 masks in the the predominantly black community because it has been a hotspot for the novel coronavirus in Jackson County.

▪ Eleven of the 12 Coast casinos reopened. The Beau Rivage will return June 1.

▪ Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday that he is naming Patrick Sullivan to be the chairman for the State Workforce Investment Board as Reeves looks to boost pay and training for Mississippi’s workers.

Reeves says the SWIB was created to develop and implement the state’s economic strategy to maximize education, training and employment service resources.

The governor hopes to use CARES Act funding to invest in providing training for Mississippians who are looking to get into a new line of work.

This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 11:30 AM.