Coronavirus cases in Mississippi rise to 6, health department says. Here’s what we know.
Mississippi now has six presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus, the state said Friday afternoon.
After announcing two new cases early in the day, the Mississippi State Department of Health said in a press conference Friday afternoon there now are six cases in the state.
Those include three cases from Forrest County, one resident of Leflore County, one in Pearl River County and one in Copiah County.
Each case will include the person’s sex and the county where they live, but not necessarily where they are hospitalized, officials said.
Details on the new cases are:
▪ A woman over age 65 in Forrest County who is hospitalized
▪ A man in Forrest County who is isolated at home
▪ A woman in Leflore County who is isolated at home
▪ A woman over 65 in Pearl River County who is hospitalized
▪ A woman over 65 in Copiah County who is hospitalized
The name of the hospitals where the person is being treated will no longer be identified.
Decision on schools
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said the Health Department has tested 90 patients and said the number of cases has ramped up quickly.
“This is not unexpected,” he said, based on experience other states and other countries.
“We will continue to see more cases in the coming days or weeks,” he said.
Paul Byers, state epidemiologist, said the Centers for Disease Control has given the state a list of best practices for school closures and the state is considering that decision.
“It’s a big decision. It’s very disruptive,” he said.
A meeting is scheduled Monday with most or all the school superintendents across the state.
Testing and isolation
Byers said there is a 24-hour turnaround time from when a person is tested until results are available. He reminded people who have symptoms not to go to the emergency room and possibly spread the virus, but to call their doctor.
Previous cases
One of the two new cases announced earlier Friday is a man who recently traveled to Florida and has been self-isolating at home without hospitalization, the Mississippi State Department of Health said in a press release.
The Sun Herald reported Thursday that Dr. Steven Farrell, chief medical officer at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, said the man traveling with the first COVID-19 patient was being monitored. “We believe he may become ill as well,” he said Thursday.
The third case is a woman over the age of 65 who recently traveled to North Carolina. She has been hospitalized. North Carolina has 17 cases of COVID-19 as of Friday, most of which are in the Raleigh area.
“We are conducting further investigation to determine if and how these cases might be connected to the first presumptive case. At this point, that is not clear, but we are thoroughly exploring all possibilities,” said State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs in the early press release.
Dobbs also reiterated what officials said Thursday, that people should avoid gatherings of larger than 250 people.
“We know that this virus is easily spread person to person, so we recommend limiting visitations and discontinuing any group social activities in long-term care facilities,” he said in Friday’s press release.
“Stay informed of the cases in your county and surrounding counties, and maintain social distancing as practical,” said Dobbs. “Our older population and chronically ill individuals, who are especially at risk, should protect themselves by avoiding gatherings of more than 250 people.”
There are now 33 cases of COVID-19 in Louisiana, most of which are in the New Orleans area, Nola.com reported Friday. Alabama also reported two cases.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 11:40 AM.
