Live updates May 30-31: The number of new coronavirus cases in Mississippi slowed down on Sunday
11 a.m. Sunday
The number of new coronavirus cases in Mississippi receded Sunday from the numbers reported Friday and Saturday.
The Department of Health says there are 272 new cases and 11 new deaths statewide on Sunday.
The state had reported 418 new cases on Friday and 439 new cases on Saturday.
The state now has a total of 15,501 cases and 734 deaths because of the virus.
The Sun Herald also has been tracking the seven-day average, which gives a better idea of the overall curve since there are daily highs and lows when private labs submit batches of data. The average surpassed 300 cases late last week, and is now at its highest of 321.
The Coast’s seven-day average has been ticking back up after dipping below 5 last week. It rose back above 8 last week and is now at 7.86.
Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties saw a small increase in cases Sunday.
There are a total of 5 new cases in South Mississippi on Sunday.
The county totals are:
George — 25
Hancock — 91 (1 new)
Harrison — 258 (1 new)
Jackson — 308 (3 new)
Pearl River — 209
Stone — 30
The state is still in the process of testing every long-term care facility employee and patient, but State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs also has said some counties are now seeing outbreaks by community transmission, such as Wayne County.
Symptoms of COVID-19 appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure.
11 a.m. Saturday
Mississippi is again reporting its biggest single-day increase in new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row.
The Department of Health says there are 439 new cases and 13 new deaths, topping Friday’s 418 new cases.
The state also has now passed 15,000 total cases. There are 9,401 presumed recoveries, and 723 people have died.
The Sun Herald also has been tracking the seven-day average, which gives a better idea of the overall curve since there are daily highs and lows when private labs submit batches of data. The average surpassed 300 cases earlier this week, and is now at its highest of 318.
The Coast’s seven-day average has been ticking back up after dipping below 5 last week. It rose back above 8 this week and is now at 7.71.
All of the lower six counties saw an increase in cases Saturday, except Stone County which has held steady at 30 for six days.
George County also had been holding most steady with the occasional one- or two-case increase, but 4 new cases were reported Saturday.
There are a total of 18 new cases in South Mississippi, the highest recent increase since 19 on May 22.
The county totals are:
George — 25 (4 new)
Hancock — 90 (3 new)
Harrison — 257 (6 new)
Jackson — 305 (3 fewer)
Pearl River — 209 (2 new)
Stone — 30 (0 new for six days)
The state is still in the process of testing every long-term care facility employee and patient, but State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs also has said some counties are now seeing outbreaks by community transmission, such as Wayne County.
Symptoms of COVID-19 appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure.
Friday’s highlights
▪ 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. MSDH reported Friday 418 new cases and 17 deaths.
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.
▪ 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.
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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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 Aug. 17 and classes end Nov. 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.