Governor Tate Reeves says just because the economy is open, people shouldn’t pretend like it’s June 2019, and there isn’t a deadly pandemic in our midst. He says Mississippi is averaging 200 to 300 new cases of coronavirus per day. While many people are social distancing and wearing masks, others are not.
“That is not only putting individuals at risk. It’s also putting us in a position where maybe we have to reevaluate those guidelines. I do not want to do that. I have no desire to have that conversation. I don’t want to look in that camera and say I’m sorry but because we weren’t responsible we’ve gotta reevaluate our ability to open things up,” said Reeves.
The state health department reports Jones County had the largest increase in COVID-19 cases from the previous week with 86. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs talked about the issue at the governor’s news briefing.
“And this isn’t a nursing home outbreak or one single thing. It’s not related to poultry. It’s community transmission for people who just live and work in Jones County in Ellisville and Laurel,” said Dobbs.
Dobbs also says the number of COVID-19 cases is putting a strain on the healthcare system in certain communities. Over the weekend He says there were 108 people on ventilators; more than at any other time. Yesterday’s new coronavirus case count was 251. Dobbs adds more younger people are getting sick.
“We’re seeing a shift in some areas to young people getting it. In Jones County the biggest groups are going to be between 20 and 40, so that’s people out and about doing stuff,” said Dobbs.
Dobbs says inside gatherings should be no more than 20 or 50 outdoors if social distancing is not possible. He says even small groups can transmit the virus; mentioning a card game where nearly everyone was infected.
