Here’s what you need to know about MS coronavirus numbers, testing and food sources
August came in like a lion, as the coronavirus numbers go, and while it’s not a lamb in the final days of the month, the number of cases are down statewide and on the Coast.
Mississippi Health Department reported Friday 599 new cases and 14 additional deaths.
On Aug. 1 there were 1,134 new cases and 34 deaths, with a seven-day average of 1,257 cases per day in the state.
On Friday the seven-day average for Mississippi was 710.
No new deaths were reported in South Mississippi for the second straight day. There were 83 cases in the six Coast counties, with Harrison and Jackson counties, which have the largest populations, also seeing the highest numbers.
Singing River Hospital in Jackson County reported 20 hospitalizations of coronavirus patients, which CEO Lee Bond said was the lowest in many weeks.
“Amazingly, we have tested 18% of our population,” he said. “That means almost one out of every five people has been tested in our county.”
The seven-day average in South Mississippi is 84.7 cases per day. It hasn’t been under 85 since July 16.
Hospitalizations also are down in Mississippi. The 696 people hospitalized with the coronavirus and 230 in ICU were the lowest totals in weeks, while COVID-19 patients on ventilators rose slightly to 125, from the low of 119 on Thursday.
Total cases/deaths
- Nation: 5.8 million cases, 178,998 deaths since Jan. 21
- State: 81,294 cases, 2,413 deaths since March 11. 62,704 presumed recovered through Aug 23.
- South Mississippi: 8,325 cases, 199 deaths since March 11
Total cases by county:
George — 674 (0 new)
Hancock — 480 (8 new)
Harrison — 3,200 (26 new)
Jackson — 2932 (35 new)
Pearl River —733 (7 new)
Stone — 306 (7 new)
Food assistance
The pandemic and unemployment has left some people without resources for food. In addition to local food pantries, here are possible sources for food:
▪ 100 Women DBA and Christ Episcopal Church host Food 4 Youth drive at 10 a.m. Saturday, on the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The bags will be filled with nonperishable food a youth could prepare as well as personal hygiene items. They will be available at 100 Men Hall, 303 Union St., Bay Saint Louis; Waveland Public Library, 345 Coleman Ave.; Kiln Public Library, 17065 Mississippi 603, and Pearlington Public Library at 6096 First Ave.
▪ Food was distributed at Wells Fargo locations in South Mississippi and five more upcoming distributions are planned. Families can register at feedingthegulfcoast.org or call 888-704-FOOD.
Where to get tested
▪ Coastal Family Health Center and The Salvation Army Kroc Center Mississippi Gulf Coast are partnering to provide drive-thru COVID-19 testing through the end of the year. Tests with no out-of-pocket expense to patients will be available at the Kroc Center, 575 Division St., Biloxi, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sept. 1. Details: 877-374-4991 or 228-207-1218
▪ Call the Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline at 877-978-6453 (7 days a week, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.) for test sites.
