Mississippi has six confirmed cases of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, with two people in North Mississippi being monitored after coming in “close contact” with someone in Tennessee who tested positive with the virus, according to reports.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, two of Mississippi’s confirmed cases are males from Forrest County who both traveled to South Florida, and both have self-isolated at home. A third case in Forrest County is a woman, over the age of 65, a demographic the Center for Disease Control considers high risk. Two other women, from Pearl River County and Copiah County and both over 65 years of age, have tested positive for the virus and have been hospitalized.
A sixth case was discovered Friday in Leflore County, who is self-isolated at home.
Friday morning, Lisa Anderson, the regional epidemiology nurse with the Mississippi State Department of Health, met with officials from Carroll County to provide a greater understanding of COVID-19 and its threat to public health in Mississippi.
COVID-19 first emerged in Wuhan City in China’s Hubei Province, with those initial cases having links to a large seafood and animal market. Anderson said the virus was transmitted from animal to human and now human to human. The virus spread to tens of thousands in China, and widespread transmission was also reported in South Korea, Iran, and Italy. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21.
On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. According to Anderson, a pandemic is classified by two criteria, it is a new virus and it is capable of person-to-person spread. Because there is no vaccine and it is highly contagious, it increases the likelihood that a global pandemic will result.
As of today, March 14, there have been 143,247 cases of COVID-19 confirmed and 5,407 deaths worldwide, according to the Center for Disease Control.
The virus is transmitted person-to-person through droplets of body fluid that leave the body when an infect person coughs or sneezes, similar to how the flu is transmitted. Symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and complications include pneumonia and death.
Anderson said for most people who are infected, the illness is “mild.” However, for some, especially those older than 65 and those with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease, the infection can be more serious. It may lead to hospitalization or death.
In a release, Mississippi State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs recommended limiting long-term care visitors and mass social gatherings.
“We know that this virus is easily spread person to person, so we recommend limiting visitations and discontinuing any group social activities in long-term care facilities,” Dobbs stated.
He also recommended that communities and organizations take specific steps in determining if mass gatherings should be canceled.
“Our older population and chronically ill individuals should protect themselves by avoiding gatherings of more than 250 people,” he stated.
University and college closings
This past week, eight of Mississippi’s colleges and universities have extended spring break by one week to allow faculty members time to prepare to provide instruction remotely, and classes will be held online for the rest of the semester. The NCAA has canceled all spring sports, including the NCAA basketball tournament and the College World Series.
Holmes Community College President Dr. Jim Haffey released the following statement: “Holmes CC will cancel classes on Monday March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 for students taking classes on campus.
Students currently enrolled in online courses will continue as normal. Students are strongly encouraged to check their student email daily for updates.
Dual credit classes will continue as normal following the local high school schedule.
At this time, classes will resume on March 18 in an online or alternative format until at least Monday, March 23. Every effort will be made to accommodate students during this period. Dorms will only be open March 16-18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to accommodate students needing to access their rooms for educational supplies.
Common areas such as libraries, food service, computer labs, and athletic facilities will be closed.
The Mississippi Association of Community Colleges has announced that all athletic practices and games have been suspended through March 30.
All campus activities and events outside of the classroom at Holmes CC have been canceled until further notice.”
Local school closings
Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District will extend spring break by two days, March 16 and March 17, for students so buses and classrooms can be disinfected. Teachers will report for duty Monday and Tuesday. Also, all school events, athletic competitions, and practices are canceled Monday and Tuesday.
According to a statement from the district: “Employees who have recently traveled to any foreign or domestic location known to have a substantial number of cases of the novel COVID-19 virus must notify his/her supervisor immediately via email. Employees who have a compromised immune system documented by a doctor should provide paperwork to his/her supervisor and a determination will be made regarding working from home.”
Carroll County Schools released a statement saying the district will adhere by the direction of the Mississippi Department of Health, which has not recommended any school closures, and classes will resume on Monday, March 16.
However, The Mississippi Association of Independent Schools announced today that its schools, which include Winona Christian School and Carroll Academy, will be closed the week of March 19.
“Based on the latest developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, it is the recommendation of the MAIS that schools close beginning Monday, March 16 for one week. Beginning Monday, March 23, the MAIS will utilize a week-to-week approach when considering additional school closers. Beginning Monday, March 16, all MAIS activities and athletic events will be canceled and reconsidered on a week-to-week basis. The MAIS will re-evaluate this fluid situation with other states in our region. Waivers will be granted to schools taking this course of action.”
Carroll Academy Headmaster Penny Mitchell stated today that Carroll Academy will be closed the week of March 16.
“We are closing for the week following the recommendation of the MAIS,” she said.
Prior to MAIS’s decision, Winona Christian School planed for the school to remain closed on Monday, March 16 “in order for the school to be thoroughly sanitized.” Classes will resume on March 17, “as of right now.”
Following the decision made by MAIS, Winona Christian Headmaster Jimmy Pittman said the administration is currently working on a plan. Look for updates on this as they are released.
Hospital limiting non-medical visits to campus
Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital has limited visitation to the hospital campus to medical-related visits only in order to protect its patients and staff from exposure to COVID-19.
Cori Bailey, chief operating officer at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital, issued a statement on Thursday, March 12.
“Tyler Holmes has a Disaster Task Force Team that is committed to implementing plans and taking action to ensure the safety of our patients and staff as well as maintaining our ability to serve this community in the way it deserves.
Although there are no confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Montgomery County at the time of this notice, we would like to be proactive by taking measures in our clinics and hospital to maintain a safe environment for delivery of your care.
Effective immediately, we are asking visitors to limit all unnecessary trips into and throughout our campus. Our hospital cafeteria is closed to the public for all meals going forward. Vendors and salespersons should limit access to the main lobby only. Family, friends, general and pastoral visitors please exercise an abundance of caution and do not visit unless absolutely necessary. Even if you feel well, you may unknowingly put your loved ones at risk.
It is important that you understand that we in no way intend to limit access to medical care or treatment. We remain open and ready to serve, but at this time of heightened focus on wellness, we ask that visits of a non-medical nature be kept to a minimum. This will help us to limit the potential exposure for our at-risk patients.”
Winona Manor and Vaiden Community Living Center have both placed restrictions on visitations.
In a statement posted on their Facebook page, Winona Manor officials wrote: “We know that everyone is concerned about COVID-19 and we are taking every precautionary measure to avoid an outbreak. The safety and protection of our residents and staff from the threat of COVID-19 and other illnesses is our highest priority. At this time, we are prohibiting visitation to our centers unless absolutely necessary, as in the case of an end-of-life medical condition. Please understand that you could be a carrier of the virus without any symptoms and entrance to a center could possibly cause an unintentional outbreak for our vulnerable population. This measure is being taken under the guidance of federal, state and local healthcare officials and governing agencies. We appreciate your cooperation and encourage you to call the care center with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
“As trained healthcare professionals, our center is taking the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) seriously, as the safety and well-being of our residents and staff is always our primary concern. We are following the guidelines of the CDC and working with our local and State partners to monitor the virus and communicate updated information to our staff, residents and family members. Our centers are focused on minimizing the potential risk by maximizing preventions using fundamental infection control protocols, standard hand hygiene procedures, contact and airborne precautions and other key safety practices in our centers."
For updates on this continuing story, please visit www.winonatimes.com or www.carrollconservative.com. You can also sign up for text and email alerts for when updates are posted online.
