More Mississippians than ever hospitalized with COVID-19 as 2 more die on the Coast
Harrison County added 2 more deaths and 37 new cases to its rapidly rising toll from the coronavirus.
Mississippi State Department of Health reported Thursday 703 new cases and 16 deaths across the state.
South Mississippi had 80 of those new cases.
It also was another record day for COVID-19 hospitalizations in Mississippi, with 686 confirmed patients in hospitals across the state and 255 hospitalized with suspected cases.
Since March 11, the state has 33,591 cases and 1,204 deaths. Presumed recovered are 22,167 who tested positive.
The total now for the six lower counties is 2356 cases and 81 deaths.
Pearl River County has the most deaths in South Mississippi, but has remained at 32 since June 17. Harrison County has added 5 more deaths since then.
Total cases in South Mississippi counties are:
George — 102 (8 new)
Hancock —138 (4 new)
Harrison — 1,040 (37 new)
Jackson — 727 (23 new)
Pearl River —276 (7 new)
Stone — 73 (1 new)
“We have lost focus,” Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi health officer, said at a press conference Wednesday. He said people need to wear masks in public and maintain social distancing.
He also dispelled the idea that only people in their 80s are getting sick and dying from the coronavirus.
“This is not something that only affects old folks,” he said.
Thursday’s report shows that 7 people between the ages of 18-29 have died of the coronavirus and 18 people between 30-39.
While no children under age 18 have died from the coronavirus, the report shows 3,183 children 17 and younger have tested positive, 239 of them younger than age 1.
To help slow the spread of coronavirus, masks are now mandatory inside all public buildings in Moss Point. The order is effective July 9.
Moss Point joins Pascagoula, Gautier, D’Iberville, Gulfport and Biloxi in requiring masks in city buildings. Starting next week masks must be worn throughout Harrison and Jackson counties.
Starting July 13, masks will become mandatory at all Mississippi Driver License centers and proper social distancing protocols are in force for people waiting for service.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 1:02 PM.
