Live updates May 26: No new COVID-19 cases on Coast but one county has 3 new deaths
For the first time since March 24, there were no new reported cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi’s southernmost six counties on Tuesday.
However, there were three new deaths reported in Pearl River County, bringing the total of deaths there to 30 — nearly half of South Mississippi’s 61 deaths.
Two of the Pearl River County deaths were identified from death certificate reports between May 13-18.
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 273 new cases with 17 deaths on Tuesday, bringing statewide totals to 13,731 cases and 652 deaths.
The state first started reporting cases of the novel coronavirus on March 11.
Total cases by county are:
George — 20 (0 new)
Hancock — 88 (0 new)
Harrison — 237 (0 new)
Jackson — 296 (0 new for four days)
Pearl River — 205 (0 new)
Stone — 30 (0 new)
6:57 p.m.
The Infinity Science Center in Hancock County will be reopening on June 1 with some restrictions.
Capacity will be limited to 50 percent inside the museum at all times and social distancing guidelines will be implemented.
There will also be hand sanitizing stations and frequent cleaning intervals at all exhibits and high-touch areas.
Visitors are encourage to wear masks and employees will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
The center’s new hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
4 p.m.
A blood drive will be held Wednesday at Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty, 9153 Lorraine Road, Gulfport. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and all types of blood are needed during this time of coronavirus pandemic.
3:30 p.m.
On-campus classes are expected to resume Aug. 17 at Pearl River Community College at its Poplarville, Hattiesburg and Waveland locations.
PRCC is monitoring COVID-19 and considering all guidance from public health officials as it moves forward with policies for the fall, the college said in a press release. Online classes also will be available.
Additional details for the fall semester will be posted at prcc.edu/coronavirus as they become available.
Highlights from Monday:
▪ MSDH reported 206 new cases and 10 additional deaths statewide. Totals in Mississippi were 13,458 cases and 635 deaths statewide. The report shows 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.
▪ Drive-thru testing sites for anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has had exposure to someone confirmed with the virus are scheduled this week in South Mississippi.
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
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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 12:27 PM.