COVID-19 April 25 Update

Governor issues New “Safer at Home” Executive Order

• Yesterday the Governor entered a new “Safer at Home” Executive Order effective until May 11, 2020.
• Individuals are encouraged to stay home when not engaged in essential activities or essential travel.
• While engaged in essential activities or essential travel, individuals are required not to gather in groups larger than 10, must stay 6 or more feet apart and must observe CDC recommended sanitation practices.
• Vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health problems, are encouraged to continue to shelter in place.
• Evictions continue to be suspended.
• Most businesses and non-profits, including non-essential businesses, may re-open, so long as they take all reasonable measures to observe CDC and MDOH guidelines regarding social distancing and use of protective equipment for employees.
• Retail businesses are required to use no more than 50% of their space to ensure social distancing
• Where possible, common areas of businesses where employees and customers congregate must be closed.
• Places of amusement remain closed.
• Salons, barbershops, gyms and fitness facilities remain closed.
• State park lakes, state lakes and reservoirs remain open as limited in prior Executive Order 1473.
• Health care facilities and practitioners, including dentists, may resume non-emergent procedures subject to conditions, including social distancing and use of protective equipment.
• Local governments may continue to issue stricter orders so long as they do not inhibit the operation of essential businesses and activities.
• The Governor’s staff has prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the order, attached here and available on my Facebook page.

Update on number of cases.

• 284 new cases reported yesterday.
• Total cases statewide now number 5718.
• Unfortunately, we now have 221 deaths.
• 79 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities.
• Comment – It should be noted that, even though the number of new cases seems to be high, this is not surprising because of the increased focus on testing. Remember we were advised that an increased focus on testing would result in the identification of more cases, but we were also advised that this was a good thing because we could identify the cases and isolate them and treat them.
• The good news is that the number of people who are receiving critical care treatment such as ventilators and ICU beds is dropping.
• This means the danger of overwhelming the healthcare system has diminished which is what we have been trying to guard against.

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 [email protected].