For the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting over 2,300 cases.
On Friday, MSDH confirmed 2,327 new cases of COVID-19 with 41 additional deaths. This brings the state’s total number of cases up to 175,282, while 4,124 Mississippians have now passed away due to the virus.
Hospitalizations continue to move upwards as 1,166 people—also the highest since the onset of the pandemic—are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.
In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, Governor Tate Reeves recently issued a new executive order, one that places 61 of the state’s 82 counties under a mandatory mask mandate. The order, which will be in full effect as of Friday at 5 p.m., also places further restrictions on social gatherings.