The number of COVID-19 cases in Mississippi has surpassed 50,000.
Today’s report of 1,434 new cases brings the state’s total up to 51,097. With the confirmation of 17 additional deaths, 1,480 Mississippians have now passed away from the virus.
Hospitalizations saw a slight decline in today’s report, but ICU bed usage rose to 295.
Throughout the week, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs and Governor Tate Reeves stated that Mississippi’s healthcare system is seeing continued stress with certain hospitals reaching their ICU capacity.
Mississippi’s 18-29-year-old population has now seen over 11,000 cases, by far the most among any age group. In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 among the younger population, Governor Reeves has issued an executive order placing restrictions on bars statewide.
- Bars can only sell alcohol to seated customers (No crowding at the bar counter)
- No alcohol can be sold at restaurants after 11:00 p.m. until 7 a.m.
- Previous measures, such as limiting to 50% capacity, updating floor plans to ensure 6 feet distance between groups, and limiting to 6 people per table, remain in effect,
In addition to the limitations on bars, the limit on indoor social gatherings has been reduced to 10 and outdoor gatherings are now limited to 20.
Six counties – Calhoun, Holmes, Lamar, Montgomery, Winston, and Yalobusha – were added to the executive order placing hotspot areas under mask mandates and stricter social distancing guidelines.
