Reeves issues mandatory mask order

Reeves issues mandatory mask order

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A two-week mandatory statewide face mask order was issued by Gov. Tate Reeves in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 and allow for a safer school re-opening process. 

Reeves pivoting to a statewide mask mandate is precipitated by his desire to have schools open and remain open for the fall term. 

“This is what I believe is the best plan for the initial reopening of our schools,” Reeves said. “(State Health Office) Dr. (Thomas) Dobbs and our health experts have worked with us on this. We have to balance the very real risk of the virus and the lifelong damage of school closures.”

Madison County Schools have already delayed the school start to after Labor Day and Canton Public Schools have moved to all-virtual learning for the time being. 

Some private schools in the metro are starting back as early as this Friday. 

On Wednesday, 1,245 new cases and 51 new deaths were reported in the state. There have been 63,444 positive cases in the state and 1,804 deaths.

State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs on Tuesday issued a statewide health order requiring anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and not hospitalized to isolate immediately or face fines or possible jail time.

“We have a lot of COVID activity throughout the state right now,  so it is absolutely critical that anyone infected with COVID-19, and not hospitalized, must remain in the home or other appropriate residential location for 14 days from onset of illness (or from the date of a positive test for those who are asymptomatic),” Dobbs said.

Failure to comply can result in a minimum misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 or six months imprisonment or both. When a life-threatening disease is involved, failure to obey is a felony, punishable by a fine up to $5,000 or five years imprisonment or both.

Dobbs said they continue to see stress and strain on the healthcare system in the state.

Madison County is third in the state with a total number of 2,363 cases, behind Hinds and De Soto. The total cases here has risen nearly 200 within the last week.

As of Wednesday, Madison reported reported 60 deaths, up 10 from last week. There were also 180 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, with 31 of those resulting in death. There have been 8 deaths associated with long-term care facilities within the last week.

The Mississippi Department of Health reported on Wednesday 963 current hospitalizations of COVID patients, up from 536 on June 24. There were another 201 patients with suspected infection. There were 201 people admitted in ICUs across the state and 173 who were on ventilators. 






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