Webster County has seen its first death from the new coronavirus in a long-term care facility with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported that death Sunday, making it the second countywide from COVID-19. Coronavirus-related deaths are reported to MSDH from hospitals, medical examiners and coroners. The Health Department first reported an LTC facility active outbreak in Webster County on May 25. An outbreak is considered any COVID-19 case in the staff or residents of a long-term care or residential facility. MSDH did not list any local cases among LTC residents until May 27, which were based upon positive tests results reported to the agency as of the previous evening. Tests may have been made during the past several days, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. The number of LTC cases — 18 — stood as of Monday. Those 18 were included in the total case count for Webster as of Monday, which was 68. The county had 28 total cases a week earlier. The LTC cases among residents by race in the county include 16 whites and two African-Americans. The LTC resident who died was white, according to MSDH data. The previous death, which was the third from COVID-19 in Mississippi, was identified by MSDH as an African-American age 65-70 who died while hospitalized in March. Countywide, the breakdown by race and ethnicity for the 68 total cases is categorized by MSDH as follows: • Not Hispanic: 23 white, 33 black and one “Other.” • Unknown Ethnicity: four black, two white, one “Other” and four “Unknown.” Mississippi had nearly 16,000 cases of COVID-19 and about 740 deaths as of Monday. ‘Safe Return,’ mask giveaway Gov. Tate Reeves’ Safer at Home order ended Monday morning and was replaced by a “Safe Return” order, opening all businesses in Mississippi. The new executive order details updated social distancing guidelines for Mississippians, businesses, healthcare professionals, and indoor and outdoor recreation. Webster County residents may pick up free masks at the Mathiston City Hall parking lot (41 Mathis Drive) from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 6. Residents will be able to get their masks by driving though the parking lot and will not have to get out of their vehicle. One mask per person will be given out. Mathiston Fire Department personnel will be giving out the masks.
