COVID-19 Tips, Resources & Relief Efforts

COVID-19 Cases in Mississippi

As of Monday, November 30, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported 1,485 new COVID-19 cases and one new COVID-19 related death, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in our state to 153,270 and the total number of deaths to 3,807.

According to State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, there are currently more than 1,000 Mississippians hospitalized due to COVID-19, which is a new record for our state. Record-breaking numbers prove we need to do more to protect the health and safety of those all across the state. As we enter the holiday season, let us all continue to be wise and make the best decisions for our families, neighbors and friends. As always, continue to pray for those on the front lines of this pandemic and help support them by reviewing and implementing local COVID-19 safety measures.

Click here for COVID-19 Guidance and Prevention Tips.

Click here to view a map of COVID-19 cases.

Governor Announces New Counties with Additional COVID-19 Measures

Governor Reeves recently added 19 counties to his “Safe Recovery” executive order, which remains in effect until Friday, December 11.

Executive Order 1532 adds the following counties to the list of counties with additional COVID-19 safety measures, including mask mandates: Alcorn, Attala, Bolivar, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lowndes, Neshoba, Panola, Perry, Prentiss, Stone, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union.

As of now, at least half of Mississippi’s 82 counties are included in the “Safe Recovery” executive order.

Click here to view Executive Order 1532.

Click here to view the Safe Recovery executive order.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Deadline Approaching

Small businesses and non-profits impacted by the pandemic still have time to apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The loan is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.

EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. Eligible small businesses, private-nonprofits and agricultural businesses may apply for an EIDL on SBA’s website. 

The deadline to apply for an EIDL is Thursday, December 31, 2020. 

Click here to apply for an EIDL.

Deadline Extended for Mississippi Agricultural Stabilization Act Applications

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced a deadline extension for Mississippi Agriculture Stabilization Act (“MASA”) Funds. The new deadline is tomorrow, Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

MASA is a self-certified application program for assistance due to the negative effects of the pandemic on Mississippi agriculture producers. The program has three separate funds within it: the Poultry Farmer Stabilization Grant Fund ($3 million), the Sweet Potato Farm Sustainment Grant Program Fund ($500,000), and the Mississippi Supplemental CFAP Grant Program Fund ($9.5 million).

Allowable reimbursable COVID-related farm expenses include the following:

• costs to feed/care for livestock that would not have been spent but for COVID (e.g., cattle were not sold due to lack of demand, so extra feed was purchased by the farmer);
• costs associated with cancellations; additional supplies; additional hardware/software;
• project costs;
• training;
• overtime to cover for another employee in quarantine;
• PPE;
• Other expenses as noted on the program’s website.

All applications must be submitted online. If application requests exceed available funding, funds will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Again, the deadline to apply is tomorrow, December 1, 2020.

Click here to apply for MASA Funds.

MDES Phone Numbers Change in Contact Center to Better Serve Mississippians

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security announced a change in phone numbers for their Contact Center in an effort to streamline services for Mississippians requiring assistance with Unemployment Insurance. The new numbers went into effect Thursday, November 12, 2020.

Claimants should call 601-493-9427 or 601-326-1119 for the following services.

• To file unemployment claims,
• Ask questions about existing claims,
• Password reset assistance, and
• How to file weekly certifications

Claimants should call 601–493-9427 for the following services.

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or for PUA Assistance

Call: 601-855-3133 for the following services.

• For Unemployment Insurance Tax assistance, and
• To speak with someone in the Benefits Pay Control Department regarding over-payment or to report fraud.

The MDES Contact Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Click here for more information.