The state department of health is now reporting 12 positive cases of the coronavirus or COVID-19 in Mississippi. As MPB's Ashley Norwood reports, health officials are working to control the spread of the virus.
Transmission of the coronavirus is continuing throughout Mississippi. State health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, says they've tested almost 300 people. At a press event yesterday, he said labs are accepting and testing samples and results are generally available in 24 hours or less.
"Right now Mississippi is experiencing low-level community transmission most likely and we're monitoring that very closely. Of course this could change very quickly," said Dobbs.
Dobbs recommends Mississippians not to congregate in crowds larger than 10 people, especially those over the age of 65 or living with chronic medical conditions. He is also asking healthcare providers to cancel non-essential clinic visits and delay elective surgeries at hospitals.
"So from an outpatient basis recommending if it's not an absolute necessity for someone to come into the medical environment, to delay that for a future date," said Dobbs.
Republican Governor Tate Reeves is signing two executive orders he believes would help control the spread of the coronavirus and provide assistance to some citizens. One order activates the Army National Guard to support mobile testing units.
The other executive order allows state and local governments to give paid time off to "nonessential personnel" during this outbreak. He says that executive order also encourages schools to set up distance learning options and to continue to provide free and reduced lunches for students. Ashley Norwood, MPB News.