How many MS legislators did COVID-19 strike? Number has grown, with one related death.
A total of 49 legislators, along with at least 12 Capitol staff members or lobbyists, caught COVID-19 in the waning days of the legislative session that recessed in early July, State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said during a news briefing Monday.
Dobbs said no legislators have died from the illness, but one person infected by a legislator did pass away. He said at least four legislators were hospitalized, and three were in intensive care.
One of those in intensive care, Rep. Manly Barton of Moss Point, has since been released from the hospital.
Many legislators failed to wear masks or socially distance during the session, which included a marathon weekend during which both the House and Senate voted to retire Mississippi’s state flag with its Confederate battle emblem.
Legislators who fell ill recently told the Sun Herald they should have been more cautious during the session and are now wearing masks in public.
Legislators, staff members and others who had been at the Capitol were tested after House Speaker Philip Gunn announced July 5 that he had tested positive for the virus. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann also tested positive for COVID-19, while Governor Tate Reeves and his family received negative test results.
Dobbs said the quarantine period for legislators has passed as they returned Monday afternoon to address budgets for the state Department of Education and Marine Resources.
