Biloxi councilman is recovering from COVID-19. ‘I’ve felt the love from the community.’
Biloxi and Coast residents are offering prayers and get-well wishes after learning Biloxi Councilman Felix Gines has tested positive for the coronavirus.
“I’ve felt the love from the community — with calls and well wishes,” Gines, 54, said Wednesday after reading messages on social media.
He learned he was positive on Sunday and will spend 14 days quarantined at home. Gines said his symptoms are mild.
“I felt like I had the chills on Sunday, and it just didn’t seem like everything was right,” Gines said. “I felt kind of funny, but I wanted to be safe since my mom, my brother and my sister have it, and now I’m the eighth person in my family to get it.
Council President Robert Deming III announced at Tuesday night’s meeting that Gines stayed away from other meetings because several family members had tested positive.
“I ask people to please take this seriously. Please wear a mask, please social distance and do the prudent things to keep yourself, your family and your friends safe,” Gines said in a release from the city.
He was at City Hall on Friday to record public service announcements for the city’s Public Affairs division, including one for COVID-19 testing. On Saturday, he helped organize a backpack giveaway for schoolchildren.
“Thankfully, the Second Liners group handled all of the interactions with the parents and schoolchildren on Saturday,” he said.
Biloxi had several firefighters test positive for coronavirus in April and City Hall was closed to the public for several days in June and July after staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
