1 outbreak in local LTC
The state Health Department has reported six new cases of COVID-19 in Webster County and one outbreak at a long-term care facility here. The six new cases since March 18 were listed on Monday’s online update from the Mississippi State Department of Health, bringing the county’s total to 28. Tests may have been made during the past several days, and represent individuals who became ill a week ago or more. Long-term care facilities like nursing homes are considered high-risk locations because their residents are older or in poor health. MSDH data as of Monday showed one LTC active outbreak in Webster County. An outbreak is considered any COVID-19 case in the staff or residents of a long-term care or residential facility. The same table showed no county LTC/residential care facility cases among residents, therefore the lone case reported here as of Monday is apparently an employee. MSDH says it investigates residents, staff and close contacts of infected individuals for possible exposure. The agency is not releasing the names of long-term care homes where COVID-19 has spread. Of the 28 total COVID-19 cases in Webster County, 14 are black and 12 are white, according to MSDH statistics. Two are categorized as “other”: one not Hispanic and one of unknown ethnicity. The agency’s data also shows the number of cases in the county per 100,000 over a one-week period (May 18-24) is 40.9, representing a 17% change. The county’s one death from the new coronavirus occurred in March. The total COVID-19 cases in Mississippi as of Monday was nearly 13,460 and the number of related deaths was 635. Guidelines for safe in-person worship services On May 19, Gov. Tate Reeves released social distancing and sanitation guidelines for in-person worship services to safely resume across Mississippi. Consulting with Dr. Thomas Dobbs and state health officials, Reeves developed guidelines for worship leaders and their congregations to join together to practice their faiths while continuing to help protect public health and flatten the curve. The guidelines include steps to prepare houses of worship, plan for logistics and worship programming, and direct staff and worship leadership on social distancing protocols. Among the suggestions in the eight pages of guidelines: Have multiple services rather than a single service so people will have a chance to spread out in a sanctuary; encourage people to wear masks that cover the mouth and nose, even during worship; discourage hugging and handshakes; minimize the sharing of food and drinks; replace choirs with solo singers. Churches and places of worship were deemed an essential business or operation and were never instructed to close, though they were encouraged to offer services online and remotely to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Safer at Home Order extended In a new executive order Friday, Reeves extended his Safer at Home order and accompanying amendments for another week until 8 a.m. Monday, June 1. He also issued another executive order to begin safely reopening outdoor recreational facilities. Detailing strict social distancing guidelines, the new executive order is in effect until 8 a.m. Monday, coinciding with the new deadline for the Safer at Home order.
