Madison ranks 7th in state for virus cases

While Madison parks remain closed, Ridgeland re-opened theirs on Monday following a new executive order by Gov. Tate Reeves that extended a shelter-in-place order until Monday but lifts some restrictions.

Ridgeland Mayor Gene F. McGee issued an executive order that allows some non-essential businesses like salons and dog groomers to operate curbside in line with Reeves' order.

The state paid more than $72 million in unemployment benefits this week.

Colby Lane of Ridgeland, CEO of Veriforce, was tapped to be on a commission Sanderson Farms CEO Joe Sanderson is heading to advise the Reeves on re-opening the state.

The commission includes Doug Hederman of Gluckstat-based Hederman Brothers and Carla Lewis of Ridgeland-based C Spire.

Meanwhile, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch of Ridgeland plans to file a lawsuit against China for COVID-19.

Madison County is seventh in the state in total COVID-19 positive cases, as of Wednesday's report from the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Last week the county was eighth in the state.

Madison County has 151 total cases, an increase of 39 from last week, with four deaths and three outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

Of those cases, 68 are black, 54 are white, 23 are classified as other, and 6 are under investigation. The deaths were classified as two black and two white.

Neighboring Hinds County leads the state with 377 cases and Rankin County has 148 positive cases.

The death toll in the state also climbed to 193. Last week it was 122.

President Donald Trump has extended social distancing to April 30, and is currently working on a plan to open up the country for business again.

MSDH has begun to once again report the total number of tests conducted at the state lab and private testing facilities. As of April 20, 52,364 tests had been conducted.

According to MSDH, 23 percent of the positive cases have required hospitalization. Sixty percent are female. Sixty-six percent of deaths have been African American.

Madison has set up a drive-thru at the Public Works complex so people can pay water bills or pick up permits without leaving their vehicles. Ridgeland City Hall is closed except for drive-thru service.

Canton is the only municipality in the county that has enacted a curfew that is in effect from 9 pm.-5 a.m.

Waste Management officials are asking Madison County residents to limit the amount of trash they put on the side of the road for pickup each week as waste is increasing with people stuck at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Waste Management is asking that residents don't put non-essential waste that includes bulk items (furniture, carpet, mattresses, etc.) and yard waste (grass clippings, brush, etc.).

Among other things, the governor has extended the deadline to file homestead until May 1 as well as extending the deadline for filing personal property renditions to May 1.

Gov. Reeves is waiving the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits for all claims filed from March 8 to June 27 and suspending all work search requirements that normally must be met to receive benefits. Go to: mdes.ms.gov/unemployment-claims/.

Small business owners can begin the process immediately and apply for assistance by visiting sba.gov/disaster.

The state has rolled out a coronavirus hotline, which is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week at (877) 978-6453.

For more information, visit msdh.ms.gov or coronavirus.gov.