MSDH announces 67 new COVID-19 cases; Lafayette County now up to five

Published 10:44 am Sunday, March 22, 2020

After seeing the highest single-day jump in presumptive COVID-19 cases in Mississippi on Friday, Saturday set a new mark.

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced 67 new cases in 33 counties as of 6 p.m. on Saturday, which surpassed the 60 cases on Friday. The statewide total is now at 207 out of 1,321 people tested.

Lafayette County was one of the 33 counties, and continues to receive a new case for the third straight day. They received three new cases on Saturday, bringing their total to five.

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Hinds County leads the state with 20 cases, while DeSoto County has 18 and Harrison County has 15. Neighboring counties like Panola have two cases, while Pontotoc has one and Lee County now has six. Yalobusha County still does not have a reported cases.

Certain towns and cities are beginning to take their own measures in trying to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Harrison County will be considering a 24-hour, 14-day lockdown during a Monday morning meeting, according to reports. Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton tweeted out a draft of a shelter-in-place order on Saturday night, following a mass gathering that took place at the Tupelo Furniture Market that afternoon.