Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Department of Health announced 13 new presumptive cases of the novel coronavirus this morning with cases in several Delta counties up to Desoto County in north Mississippi. No new Hinds cases showed up today—it is still at six—but nearby Madison County joined the list. The new totals expand the number of total cases in the state from 21 to 34, with 513 individuals in the state tested so far.

“Presumptive” cases of COVID-19 are the result of positive tests for the disease at the State of Mississippi’s testing sites and labs. Secondary “confirmation” takes place at the national Centers for Disease Control.

The new cases come from a variety of locations across the state: the Mississippi Delta’s second wave of presumptive COVID-19 confirmations, and the first ones outside Leflore County there, have emerged in Bolivar and Coahoma County. Perry, Madison, and DeSoto counties also have their first reported cases of the virus.

The Jackson Free Press will update this story when the Mississippi Department of Public Health makes more information available. Typically, the JFP requires interviews and inquiries to be done live, not via email, but due to the extreme restraints of the COVID-19 crisis, we are temporarily waiving this policy to submit questions to MSDH.

Read the JFP’s coverage of COVID-19 at jacksonfreepress.com/covid19. Get more details on preventive measures here. rRead about announced closings and delays in Mississippi here. Read MEMA’s advice for a COVID-19 preparedness kit here.

Email information about closings and other vital related logistical details to [email protected].

Email state reporter Nick Judin, who is covering COVID-19 in Mississippi, at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @nickjudin. Seyma Bayram is covering the outbreak inside the capital city and in the criminal-justice system. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at @seymabayram0.