Live updates May 28: Case spike leads to new coronavirus record in Mississippi
The seven-day average for newly reported coronavirus cases in Mississippi cleared 300 on Thursday, the first time since March when the Mississippi State Department of Health began reporting new cases.
The health department reported 328 new COVID-19 cases and 23 deaths on Thursday, bringing the average case total to 307.1 over the last week. The previous high was set Wednesday at 296.7.
The seven-day average had shown a steady dip since it hit 278.71 on May 10, but the last week’s cases have taken a significant jump with four of the last seven days showing cases of 313 or more.
There have been only three other days this year when more than 23 deaths have been reported.
The spike in numbers comes after Gov. Tate Reeves announced testing for all nursing home residents and staff throughout the state.
There were six new cases reported in the state’s southernmost six counties, including three in Jackson County. One was subtracted from Pearl River County’s total.
Total cases in South Mississippi are:
- George — 21 (1 new)
- Hancock — 87 (0 new)
- Harrison — 247 (2 new)
- Jackson — 303 (3 new)
- Pearl River — 206 (1 fewer)
- Stone — 30 (0 new)
5:35 p.m.
The Mississippi State Department of Health provided some details on a cluster of COVID-19 infections related to a recent funeral in Northeast Mississippi.
The funeral and after-service gathering took place on May 17 in Baldwyn, which is located in Lee and Prentiss counties with about 100 people in attendance.
There have been at least seven COVID-19 cases in Mississippi and at least two cases among out-of-state residents that have been identified among the people who attended the funeral. Several other potential cases are under investigation.
People who attended the graveside service at 1 p.m. on May 17 and the gathering afterward are advised to monitor for coronavirus symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.
If symptoms emerge, they should immediately isolate themselves and contact their healthcare provider.
The state health department urges people to wear cloth masks and practice social distancing of 6 feet or greater if they are in group settings.
Gatherings should be limited to groups of 20 outdoors and 10 indoors.
9:50 a.m.
Pascagoula Fire Department has received 12,000 KN95 masks to distribute to the public.
Masks will be available from 9 a.m.-noon on Monday, June 1, at the Pascagoula Senior Center, 1912 Live Oak Ave. Those coming to receive masks must stay in their cars. No walk-ups are allowed and there is a five mask limit per car.
Barricades will direct cars through the one-way drive-thru. Cars will enter from Carver Street and will exit east onto Live Oak Avenue.
If all the masks aren’t distributed Monday, a second distribution day will be held Tuesday.
8:30 a.m.
Coronavirus won’t stop the 34th annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival June 13 & 14 in New Orleans — it will go virtual.
Creole tomato dishes will be featured to-go from French Market and New Orleans restaurants such as Meals From the Heart Café, Blue Line Sandwich Co., Broussard’s, Andrea’s, Lakeview Harbor and Patois.
People can watch streaming musical performances from home while eating their food.
Wednesday’s highlights
▪ A day after there were no new CVID-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.
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.
▪ Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources Wednesday 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.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 11:40 AM.