COVID-19 cases continue to increase locally, as Carroll County breaks over 300 cases. Monday, the Mississippi Department of Health reported Carroll County had 303 cases and Montgomery County had 438 cases.
The age group that has been diagnosed with the most cases in Carroll County is between the ages of 50-59, followed closely by 60-69 and 30-39 and 40-49. The age group that has been diagnosed with the most cases in Montgomery County 18-29 followed closely by 50-59, 40-49 and 30-39.
Carroll has seen small upticks in cases but hasn’t seen a spike since July 18. Montgomery County has seen spikes the weeks since July 11 with spikes happened the weeks of August 1, Aug. 8 and Aug. 15. From August 15 to the week of August 22, the county saw a decline. The number of positive cases remained the same the week of Aug. 29 and the county saw another decrease the week of September 5, the number of positive cases remained the same the week of September 12.
Winona Manor reported 19 employees and 50 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19. The Kilmichael Group home did not report any positive cases.
For the week of September 4, Carroll County reported no cases and have only had two so far since the beginning of school. Montgomery County has reported two new cases in teachers, two new cases in students, six teachers and 25 students were quarantined. Montgomery has had two cases in teachers and six cases in students since the start of school.
Friday, Gov. Tate Reeves extended the statewide mask ordinance until the end of September. Reeves said the mandate is working and thanked Mississippians for their cooperation. He also said that there may be some changes in outdoor activities, however those have not been announced as of yet.
On his Facebook page, Reeves said business, schools, churches can all be opened. Sports can be played in front of a crowd, and family members can visit their loved ones in the hospital or long-term care facilities as long as medical staff has determined it can be done safely.
“The state is open for business. And our coronavirus cases are plummeting. Our hospitals have the capacity they need today. Why? Because we’ve got limited, targeted interventions in place that people can realistically work within. And the people of Mississippi are stepping up,” Reeves writes. “We’re asking people to wear masks. We’re asking businesses to limit capacity in different ways—rather than closing any type of business. We’re asking people to limit social gatherings like parties to small groups. And we’re asking schools to have infected and exposed children learn from home for fourteen days. That’s about it.”
