Live updates: Harrison County has most of 13 new coronavirus cases in South Mississippi
A day after there were no new COVID-19 cases reported in Mississippi’s southernmost six counties, there were 13 announced by the state department of health on Wednesday.
Eight of those cases are in Harrison County, which also had its seventh death since the state first started reporting numbers on March 11.
There were also four new cases reported in Jackson County and two in Pearl River County. The state department subtracted one case from Hancock County’s total, which now stands at 87.
State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs has said MSDH removes a positive COVID-19 case from a county if the department’s geo-tracking method shows the case should be moved elsewhere.
Pearl River County also added one death from the coronavirus to bring its total to 31 — the most in South Mississippi. Jackson County has 13 deaths, and there have been 11 reported in Hancock County.
The state reported 313 new cases on Wednesday — the highest total in the last four days. The 18 new deaths are the most since 20 were reported on May 23.
Total cases by county are:
George — 20 (0 new)
Hancock — 87 (1 fewer)
Harrison — 245 (8 new)
Jackson — 300 (4 new)
Pearl River — 207 (2 new)
Stone — 30 (0 new)
1:20 p.m.
Mississippi State Department of Health reports a second pediatric flu death of 2020. The death was in a child from central Mississippi who died in March but was previously unreported.
The first pediatric flu death for 2020 was reported last week in a child from central Mississippi.
“Flu deaths can be prevented by getting the flu vaccine,” said MSDH State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs. “It can also lessen the severity of the illness and risk of complications if you do get the flu.”
1 p.m.
Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources today approved to extend the expiration date for commercial fishing licenses to June 30. The extension also applies to charter boat licenses that expire before June 30.
Commercial licenses are available by mailing a copy of the boat registration and the boat owner’s driver’s license, plus a check or money order, to the MDMR at 1141 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530.
9 a.m.
Mississippi Hospital Association and Mississippi State Medical Association are encouraging patients to seek care in the state’s clinics and hospitals, especially those who have chronic illnesses or need emergency care.
Clinics and hospitals throughout the state have experienced steep declines in outpatients visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delaying or avoiding medical treatment is a potentially dangerous choice, the organizations said.
A new campaign called Prepared to Care is informing resident about safe options for medical treatment.
About 16 percent of the state’s population is 65 or older, and older adults tend to have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic medical conditions, putting them at much higher risk of significant health complications if they delay regular appointments or emergency care.
Tuesday’s highlights:
▪ Infinity Science Center in Hancock County will reopen June 1 with some restrictions. Capacity will be limited to 50 percent inside the museum and social distancing guidelines will be implemented. The center’s new hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 11:59 AM.