Live updates June 2: Mississippi has 28 new deaths, over 250 more coronavirus cases
The state’s top health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs and Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday the state’s new coronavirus cases are because of community transmission and not more testing, and Tuesday’s numbers show 268 new cases, with 7 in South Mississippi.
The report showed 28 deaths related to COVID-19, including 10 that were added from death certificate reports between May 6 and May 27. One of those deaths was in Hancock County. That’s the third-most deaths reported in a single day after two days in early May had 32 new deaths.
Among the new cases reported Tuesday were 39 among residents in long-term care facilities. Dobbs said Monday that all residents and staff members at 211 nursing homes in the state have been tested, totaling 26,617 people.
The number of people hospitalized for coronavirus rose to 455 today from 418 on Monday and 405 Sunday.
Total cases statewide now stands at 16,020 with 767 deaths. Presumed recoveries are 11,203.
In South Mississippi there have been 930 cases and 64 deaths.
Total cases in South Mississippi are:
George — 26 (1 new)
Hancock — 91 (0 new for three days)
Harrison — 263 (2 new)
Jackson — 308 (1 new)
Pearl River — 211 (2 new)
Stone — 31 (1 new)
3:38 p.m.
Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office has recommended that the Mississippi State Department of Health begin releasing the names of current long-term care facilities that have COVID-19 outbreaks.
Beginning Wednesday, the names of these facilities will be posted on the department’s website and updated daily. The list will include the name and county of the facility only, not a breakdown of the number of cases associated with each facility.
This follows a Hinds County Chancery Court ruling that the Mississippi Public Records Act allows the release of public documents already in existence, such as the list of long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks.
12:30 p.m.
The Back to Business Mississippi Grant Program’s website has gone live.
The program will use grant funding appropriated in Senate Bill 2772 to help businesses in Mississippi with 50 or fewer employees recover from the economic impact of COVID-19, including operating expenses and salaries.
Mississippi Development Authority soon will begin accepting applications on this site from small businesses. Register at backtobusinessms.org to receive emails for more information.
11:30 a.m.
First Bank and Trust announces the re-opening of all branch lobbies including Biloxi on June 8.
Lobbies and customer waiting areas are being spaced according to CDC recommendations and sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the lobbies.
FBT employees will wear a face mask during face-to-face interactions with customers. Visitors in the lobby are also asked to wear a mask and may be asked they lower them for identification purposes if necessary.
10 p.m.
Waitr food ordering and delivery has expanded service in South Mississippi, launching in Diamondhead and Kiln.
The company that has been delivering food through the coronavirus pandemic also expanded its delivery zone in Gulfport and Biloxi and has added more and local eateries to its options. There now are more than 300 restaurants in Biloxi and Gulfport on the app.
7:30 a.m.
Biloxi’s traditional Fais Do-Do will not take place this year because of the coronavirus, but the 91st annual Blessing of the Fleet and Coronation of the Shrimp King and Queen will be held this weekend.
The Blessing Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church on U.S. 90 will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday. The coronation of the king and queen will be held Saturday during a ceremony that will be live streamed on the Biloxi Blessing Facebook page.
The celebration continues Sunday with the ceremonial wreath dropping at 2 p.m. Boats will form in the west end of the Biloxi Channel near the Beau Rivage Casino and parade east in the Biloxi Channel. Shrimp and recreational boats are welcome to receive blessing for a safe and bountiful season. Boat participants do not need applications.
Blessing of the Fleet posters are available for purchase at the Biloxi Visitor Center.
7 a.m.
Gulf Coast Business Council on Monday released a survey asking business leaders to help measure the impact of COVID-19 on the Coast.
The 20-question survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. All responses will remain anonymous.
Monday’s highlights
▪ The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 251 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the fewest since May 25.
Monday’s report showed 5 new deaths, the least since May 11. The report also showed 418 people are hospitalized for the coronavirus, down from 449 on May 29.
South Mississippi had 3 new cases, all of them in Harrison County. There were 0 deaths reported, the fifth straight day without an additional death from coronavirus.
▪ Pascagoula Fire Department received 12,000 KN95 masks to distribute to the public and after the first distribution Monday, several thousand masks remain.
The will be given away to the public Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. Firefighters will distribute the masks at Pascagoula Senior Center, 1912 Live Oak Ave. Those coming for masks should enter from Carver Street and stay in their cars. There will be a five mask limit per car.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 11:44 AM.