Live updates May 25: State has 206 new cases as holiday draws people to Coast beaches
As residents and tourists spent Memorial Day Weekend at the beaches and in boats, Mississippi Department of Health reported Monday 206 new cases and 10 additional deaths statewide.
Totals in Mississippi now are 13,458 cases, with 23 of the new cases in long-term care facilities. There have been 635 deaths statewide.
Today’s report says 421 people are hospitalized because of the coronavirus and 9,401 people are presumed recovered since March 11.
The Health Department report showed 9 new cases and 0 new deaths in South Mississippi, for a total of 876 cases and 58 deaths in the lower six counties.
Total cases by county are:
George — 20 (1 new)
Hancock — 88 (1 new)
Harrison — 237 (3 new)
Jackson — 296 (0 new for three days)
Pearl River — 205 (3 new)
Stone — 30 (1 new)
2:45 p.m.
As Mississippi and other states open more businesses, the price of gasoline is on the rise. Gas prices also traditionally rise on a holiday weekend.
The average price of regular gas on Monday was $1.59 in South Mississippi, $1.58 statewide and $1.96 across the U.S.
The lowest average price in South Mississippi dipped to $1.53 the weeks of May 11 and 18. The lowest average in the state was even lower — $1.48 on May 4. The U.S. hit a low of $1.77 a gallon the week of April 27.
9:45 a.m.
Mississippi residents have received 1.4 million Economic Impact Payments totaling $2.4 billion, according to the latest report from the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service.
Payments are automatic for people who filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019, receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return in the last two years.
For those who don’t receive federal benefits and didn’t have a filing obligation in 2018 or 2019, the IRS continues to encourage them to visit the Non-Filer tool at IRS.gov so they can quickly register for Economic Impact Payments.
People can continue to receive their payment throughout the year.
8:30 a.m.
Residents of George and Pearl River counties and surrounding communities can be tested this week for COVID-19 as 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.
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 from a UMMC clinician, either through the C Spire Health telehealth app or by phone at (601) 496-7200 for those who don’t have smartphones.
Testing is from noon-4 p.m. and only those with appointments will be tested at these sites:
- Thursday, May 28 — Pearl River County Health Department, 7547 U.S. 11, Carriere
- Saturday, May 30 — George County Fairgrounds, 9162 Old 635, Lucedale
Weekend highlights
▪ Sunday — Mississippi State Department of Health reports 247 new cases statewide, bringing the seven-day average above 300 for the first time.
There are 20 new deaths in the state, none in the lower six counties, bringing the total to 625 Mississippians that have died of COVID-19.
▪ Saturday — Mississippi surpassed the 13,000 mark as the Department of Health reported 381 new cases of the coronavirus in Mississippi with 20 new deaths. One of these deaths was reported in Hancock County.
There have been 13,005 COVID-19 cases In the state with 616 deaths. The number of recoveries in the state stands at 7,681.
There have been 58 deaths from the coronavirus in South Mississippi.
This story was originally published May 25, 2020 at 12:50 PM.
