Part of Mississippi has mask mandate as COVID-19 spreads

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A mask mandate and other restrictions took effect Monday in 13 of Mississippi’s 82 counties as the state continues to see a rapid increase in cases of the new coronavirus, including a steady rise in hospital patients.

Figures released Monday by the state Health Department showed 1,020 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 Sunday. That is up from 664 on June 22.

“Rising COVID case burden added to hospitals already busy treating NON-COVID issues. Many thanks for the heroic work of our MS hospitals,” the state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, wrote Monday on Twitter.

Republican Gov. Tate

Reeves set the restrictions in counties with high levels of virus transmission. They include some of the most heavily populated in the state — Hinds, Madison and Rankin in the Jackson area, Desoto County in the north and Harrison and Jackson counties on the coast. The restrictions are also in effect in smaller counties with high rates of the virus — Claiborne, Grenada, Jefferson, Quitman, Sunflower, Washington and Wayne.

People in those 13 counties must wear masks in public, including in outdoor settings where it’s not possible for people to remain at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart. Gatherings indoors are limited to 10 people and those outdoors are limited to 20.

Mississippi has a population of about 3 million. The Health Department said Monday that the state has had at least 36,680 confirmed cases and at least 1,250 deaths from the coronavirus as of Sunday evening. That was an increase of 393 cases and one death from numbers reported the day before.

The department said at least 3,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, with at least 604 virus-related deaths in those facilities.

The number of virus infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick. While most people who contract the coronavirus recover after suffering only mild to moderate symptoms, it can be deadly for older patients and those with other health problems.