COVID-19 Update from Speaker Gunn

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March 29, 2020

Update on number of cases.

• 95 new cases reported yesterday.
• Total cases statewide now number 758.
• New counties reporting cases – Carroll, Claiborne, and Warren.
• Unfortunately, we now have 14 deaths. The Department of Health advises that while most of the deaths have been in people over the age of 60, the virus can be a serious threat to people of any age, especially those with long-term health problems.  People with diabetes, heart disease or other chronic health problems should follow the advice of their doctor.

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Stay healthy

• It is believed that we are going to continue to see an increase in the number of cases in Mississippi.
• Therefore, it becomes even more important that we all take the precautions seriously.
• STAY HOME as much as possible.  Do not move about the community unless it is a matter of an urgent nature.
• HAND WASHING is the single most effective means to prevent the spread of the virus.
  • Wash your hands at every opportunity whether you think you need to or not.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
  • Be sure to wash front, back, wrists, between fingers, and under fingernails.
  • Dry with clean towel or paper towel.
• Continue to stay at least 6 feet away from others and avoid all crowds.

Updated list of testing sites

Note: This information has been reported to MSDH by individual facilities, which are responsible for its accuracy. Testing for COVID-19 is not performed at county health departments. Please contact your physician or a healthcare provider.

PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS

For Individuals

• Protect others:
  • Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with anyone who is ill.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes. When possible, cough, sneeze or blow your nose into a tissue, and throw the tissue away.
  • If you are sick, especially with shortness of breath, severe cough, fever or severe chest pain, call a doctor or healthcare provider for instructions on being safely examined.
• Protect yourself away from home
  • Avoid social and community gatherings where 10people or more would come into close contact.
  • Practice social distancingadvice below when you are in a group of people.
  • Avoid unnecessary (non-urgent) air, bus or train travel.
  • Limit visitation to older relatives or friends (especially in nursing or care homes).
• Practice protective hygiene
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing, blowing your nose, and using the bathroom. Effective handwashing takes about 20 seconds, and includes cleaning under fingernails, between fingers, and washing the back of hands as well as the front. More proper handwashing tips »
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.
  • Stay in good overall health by eating right and staying active. If you are living with diabetes, heart disease or other condition, keep in touch with your doctor and stay current with your treatment.
  • During or before flu season, get a flu shot. Flu vaccination can prevent the flu or make it less severe and decrease your chance of hospitalization and death. It also keeps you healthier and better able to fight off infections.
  • More about preventing the spread of disease

Families, Women and Children

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer specialized recommendations for:
  • Home and Family
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
  • Children

For Older Adults and People at High Risk

• People at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 are adults 65 and over and those with a chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease. These people should take simple precautions at all times to limit their exposure to others who may be ill:
  • Avoid allsocial gatherings.
  • Keep more space (6 feet if possible) between you and others as you go through the day.
  • Avoid crowds. When you do go out in public, keep away from others who are sick and limit close contact.
  • Wash your hands often, especially after being in public places.
• If COVID-19 begins to spread locally, you should stay home as much as possible. Having a supply of important medications and basic supplies can help.
  • Full recommendations from the CDC for people at high risk

For Long-Term Care Facilities

• MSDH recommends discontinuing group social activities.
• Consider restricting visitation until further notice.
• Post signs that discourage all nonessential visitation and discourage ill visitors from entering the facility.
• Visitors should only visit their family members and should not have contact with other residents since they could spread the virus.
• Visitors should cover their coughs and be educated on the importance of hand hygiene.
• Keep all ill visitors away from the facility for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve.
• Consider limiting visitation by children (especially during community wide outbreaks) and the elderly or those with underlying medical problems that place them at risk.
• Postpone all groups (like school groups or church groups) from visiting facility — this goes along with discontinuing all group activities.
• Make sure the facility has plenty of hand washing products and that visitors have access to them.

Social Gatherings and Events

• Everyone attending essential events and gatherings should take extra precautions at this time, including:
  • Maintain social distancing as much as practical. A separation of 6 feetfrom another person is considered effective for infection control.
  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Look for sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • If ill, do not attend any public event and call your physician or healthcare provider if needed.
  • Schools throughout the state should consider cancelling any large gatherings, including assembly and social events.
  • CDC recommendation and resources for community events
• Event organizers: MSDH recommends that communities and organizations contact us at 877-978-6453 to determine whether cancelation is warranted, or appropriate preventive steps for your event.

In the Community: Schools, businesses, events and other places that people gather should take steps to prevent or limit the spread of viral illness.

• Schools – The Mississippi Department of Education has issued COVID-19 guidelines for Mississippi schools:
  • Department of Education COVID-19 GuidelinesMDE
  • CDC Guidance for Schools and Childcare Administrators
• Child care facilities
  • Unlike older adults, young children are at low risk from COVID-19. The Mississippi State Department of Health has not recommended closing child care facilities at this time.
  • Child care facilities choosing to remain open should be mindful of hygiene and disinfection practices specific to schools and daycares:
  • CDC Guidance for Schools and Childcare Administrators
  • CDC Guidance for School and Childcare Settings
• Businesses and workplaces
  • Workplaces where more than 10 people work in close contact should be mindful of providing strong hygiene support and facilitating social distancingfor the safety of its employees and patrons should they choose to remain open.
  • CDC Guidance for health protection in workplaces
  • The Mississippi State Department of Health now recommends that all restaurants and bars suspend dine-in service for the foreseeable future and restrict their operations to carryout or delivery only.

Call if you need help.

• We have had phone calls to our office forwarded to our staff.  If you need any help at all, please call us at 601-359-3300.
• We have also set up an email address for you to ask questions or seek help.  That address is covid19questions@house.ms.gov.