The positive cases of COVID-52 cases in Webster County has increased by 11 within the last week, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.
The number of cases in the county as of 6 p.m. Monday was 52, which includes all reported cases since March 11. Last week there were 41.
The Mississippi Department of Health reported at 11 a.m. on May 5, 330 new cases and 32 new deaths as of 6pm May 4, 2020. The totals are now 8,207 COVID-19 positive persons in the state with 342 deaths. Cases reported to the MSDH after 6 p.m. will be reported later.
The number of Mississippians currently hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 infection is at 452.
Choctaw County has 14 cases with 1 death and Webster County has 21 cases and 1 death.
Governor amends
Safer at Home order
Monday, Gov. Tate Reeves announced the next phase for Mississippi to begin slowly and safely reopening the state’s economy while continuing to flatten the curve.
In a new executive order, Reeves laid out the next steps of a plan following state health officials’ recommendations to protect lives while restoring Mississippians’ livelihoods. The executive order amends his Safer at Home order, which he signed over a week ago and still remains in effect until Monday, May 11. The new guidelines go into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Monday, which is when the Safer at Home order ends as well.
“I don’t want to wait if there are steps that we believe we can safely take now to ease the burden on Mississippians fighting this virus. There are thousands around the state that are set to close their doors for good. They cannot hold on much longer. I hope that this will not only be some much-needed relief for those restaurant employees but also provide for some joy for the people of Mississippi,” said Reeves.
In the latest executive order, the governor laid out strict social distancing guidelines to begin the process of slowly and safely reopening restaurants and allowing outdoor recreation, including:
RESTAURANTS:
• Before in-house dining can resume, the entire restaurant and bar must be deep-cleaned, disinfected and sanitized top to bottom.
• All restaurants and bars are expected to take every step necessary to implement the regulations, orders and guidance from the Health Department and Centers for Diseases Control to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• All employees will be screened daily at the beginning of their shifts, including asking whether they have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have they had a fever in the last 48 hours.
• Cloth masks must be provided to all employees who come in direct contact with customers. Employees are required to wear that mask throughout their shift.
• All employees must be provided training on how to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• No more than 50% seating capacity in both indoor and outdoor dining areas, and floor plans must be updated to ensure at least 6 feet between each group. Party sizes will be limited to no more than six people per table.
• Bars and bar areas that do no offer food services are to remain closed.
• Minimizing person-to-person contact through technology, like mobile or online reservations and contact-less payment, is encouraged.
• Customers will be screened upon entry. Restaurants and bars must post signage at each entrance stating no customer with a fever or COVID-19 symptoms are allowed in.
• Cafeteria-style buffets and food stations that are manned by restaurant staff are allowed with appropriate barriers to limit contact. Self-service buffets, food stations and drink stations are prohibited.
• All restaurants and bars must place hand sanitizer at all entrances, hostess stations, in/near bathrooms and at cashier stations.
OUTDOOR
RECREATION:
• Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people for indoor activities and a maximum of 20 people for outside activities.
• Parks can open to the public from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. for outdoor recreation under guidance from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and local authorities, with people following social distancing guidelines such as 6 feet separation. Outdoor recreation activities, such as swimming, are also allowed within those same hours.
Wear a mask in public places
All Mississippi residents should wear non-medical grade masks or homemade cloth masks when shopping, running errands, or otherwise away from home.
Face covering is especially important when a distance of at least 6 feet cannot easily be maintained between persons. This recommendation does not include manufactured (surgical) or N95 masks, which should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders
