Live updates: Mississippi has 418 new coronavirus cases, highest single-day number yet
With the reopening of Mississippi and more testing at long-term care facilities, the number of daily new coronavirus cases in the state was the highest yet on Friday.
Mississippi State Department of Health reported Friday 418 new cases and 17 deaths across the state.
The previous one-day high was 402 cases on May 22.
There are 9,401 presumed recoveries.
South Mississippi had 5 new cases and no additional deaths reported. Harrison County continues to see the largest increase in new cases with 4 today and 20 new cases in the last week.
Mississippi now has 14,790 total cases with 710 deaths.
The six counties of South Mississippi account for 898 cases and 63 deaths.
Total cases in South Mississippi are:
George — 21 (0 new for two days)
Hancock — 87 (0 new for three days)
Harrison — 251 (4 new)
Jackson — 302 (1 fewer)
Pearl River — 207 (1 new)
Stone — 30 (0 new for five days)
The number of pediatric cases for those under age 18 has reached 868 across Mississippi, with 63 in children under the age of 1 testing positive for coronavirus.
4:05 p.m.
Gov. Tate Reeves announced the launch of the Back to Business Mississippi Grant Program website to help small businesses receive financial support quickly to recover from the devastating economic impacts of COVID-19.
Since establishing the Back to Business Mississippi Grant Program just over a week ago, Governor Reeves has been working with the Mississippi Development Authority to administer the grants to small businesses.
To start the process of businesses preparing their applications, backtobusinessms.org was launched to outline eligibility requirements and necessary paperwork to compile until the applications go live. Features of the website include email signup to receive notifications when applications are open and a FAQ section as well.
3:30 p.m.
Ship Island Excursions will resume service with capacity limitations on June 5, the National Park Service announced.
Facilities that will remain closed for now are the Visitor Center at the Davis Bayou Area, the Davis Bayou Campground and Robert McGhee Road and associated facilities including the public boat ramp.
12:30 p.m.
Memorial Hospital will live-stream a tribute concert, featuring New Orleans singer and songwriter Elizabeth Lyons, on Thursday, June 4 in recognition of first responders and others who made an impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She will perform her original song “Brave Enough” during the will concert at 2 p.m. on the Memorial Hospital Facebook page.
Local public officials also will share words of encouragement and help bring attention to the Memorial Hospital Foundation COVID-19 Fund, which provides support to Memorial Hospital, patients and employees with needs related to COVID-19. All donations directly benefit Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 related needs.
10:45 a.m.
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art is offering $250 Summer mini-grants to support regional artist since the museum was closed during the coronavirus shutdown and not been able to employ artists for public programs.
Recipients of the grants will contribute to future programs or activities of the museum, such as artist talks, performances or workshops. Applications are due June 30.
9:30 a.m.
The fall schedule will be compressed at University of Southern Mississippi to limit student travel and help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.
The semester begins on August 17 and classes end November 23, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Final exams will be conducted online. The schedule also eliminates the fall break in October.
Public health guidelines will determine future plans for athletic events. Changes to student life programming and housing policies will be implemented in accordance with current health guidance.
7 a.m.
Singing River Health Systems reported late Thursday 0 COVID-19 positive tests for the day. The average over the last 10 days is down to 1 positive per day, said CEO Lee Bond, and almost all were outpatient positives.
Thursday’s highlights
▪ The seven-day average for newly reported coronavirus cases in Mississippi cleared 300 on Thursday for the first time.
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.
▪ Mississippi State Department of Health provided 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.
▪ Pascagoula Fire Department has received 12,000 KN95 masks to distribute to the public. Masks will be available from 9 a.m.-noon on 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.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 11:35 AM.