5 more COVID-19 deaths in South Mississippi as state reports 1,342 new cases
State Health Director Dr. Thomas Dobbs warned Mississippi on Monday not to make much of the drop in cases to below 1,000 for the first time in two weeks, and Tuesday’s report was back up to 1,342 new cases.
The state health department reported 42 deaths for the day — 5 of them in South Mississippi. Jackson County had 2 additional deaths and Harrison, Pearl River and Stone counties each had a new death.
In Jackson County, the death total only increased by one to correct a previous case: “A Jackson County resident’s record was corrected to reflect that a case did not die,” according to the health department. “However, on the same day, a different Jackson County resident did expire due to COVID-19, so the totals remained the same day to day, even though a death was added in today’s update.”
The six counties in Mississippi had 125 new cases reported for the day.
To show how cases have escalated, South Mississippi had 1,707 total cases from March until June 30. Even before it’s over, July has 2,922 new cases, a 171% increase in four weeks.
Harrison County has added 1,149 new cases in July and Jackson County 1,133 cases.
Ingalls Shipbuilding in Jackson County had 107 cases on July 10 and 339 on July 28, with an additional 31 reported Tuesday.
The state total stands at 54,299 cases of COVID-19 with 1,543 deaths.
Estimated recoveries are 35,071 through July 26, or 66% of all cases.
South Mississippi’s recoveries, using a more restrictive 21 day recovery period to the state’s 14 days, is 2,339 presumed recoveries or 50%, according to Larry George, a Coast resident who tracks the coronavirus data.
South Mississippi now has 4,629 cases and 113 deaths.
Total cases by county:
George — 256 (9 new)
Hancock — 291 (14 new)
Harrison — 1,868 (44 new)
Jackson — 1,638 (42 new)
Pearl River — 444 (13 new)
Stone — 132 (3 new)
Food distribution
▪ A food distribution event will be held from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 at the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
The Mobile Food Pantry, spearheaded by Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, is designed to provide non-perishable goods to veterans and their families during the ongoing health crisis. Veterans and caregivers will be required to show a Department of Veterans Affairs or retired military identification card.
Only 200 boxes of goods will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. It will be a contactless, drive-through event. Enter through the front gate and follow signs to the parking lot of building 29.
▪ Food bags for youth in need will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the following Hancock County locations: 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis, Waveland Public Library, Kiln Public Library and Pearlington Public Library.
Youth are invited to take what they need and leave the rest. The food bags will contain easy-to-prepare nonperishable items along with art kits from the Arts Hancock County, love letter kits from The Writing Room at 100 Men Hall, notes of encouragement from the NAACP Youth and school supplies and masks.
Donations for the food bags are requested by Friday and should be brought to 100 Men Hall at 303 Union St., Bay St. Louis.
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 1:54 PM.
