Governor Tate Reeves added Winston and six other counties to his list of counties under a mask mandate, bringing the total to 22. “Let’s keep fighting COVID, let’s protect ourselves and protect our neighbors,” Governor Reeves said. “Let’s also keep praying. I believe if we work together, we can make a difference. We can slow the spread and bridge the gap between now and when this vaccine becomes readily available and protect the integrity of our healthcare system.” Mississippi, like states across the country, is facing a surge in coronavirus cases. There were no ICU beds available in Jackson for several days last week, and hospitals are facing intense stress. Reeves said he implemented the mask mandates in counties with the highest number of new cases. “Wearing a mask helps," Reeves said at a briefing with press Monday. "It helps you. It helps your family. It helps your friends.” The new counties under the mandate are Hinds, Madison, Pontotoc, Tate, Winston, Itawamba and Montgomery. The 15 already under a mandate were Benton, Carroll, Covington, DeSoto, Forrest, Harrison, Humphreys, Jackson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Leflore, Lee, Marshall, Rankin and Yalobusha. The state Health Department said Monday that Mississippi, with a population of about 3 million, has reported more than 135,803 confirmed coronavirus cases and at least 3,581 deaths from COVID-19 as of Monday evening. Winston County has 1039 cases with 23 deaths.
