COVID-19 March 23 Update
1.Testing. The Department of Health (DOH) advises that you WILL NOT be tested unless you have BOTH: 1) a 100.4 degree temperature or greater; AND 2) coughing or chest pain.
2. Testing facilities (updated). Below is a list of facilities that have indicated they will conduct testing for covid-19. Again, PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU GO. They do not want people with the virus
to show up unannounced and possibly spread the virus to others. This helps them control the spread
of the virus
| Testing Facility | Location | Phone Number |
| Forrest General Hospital | Hattiesburg | 601-228-7000 |
| Gulfport Memorial | Gulfport | 228-867-5000 |
| St. Dominic Hospital | Jackson | 601-957-3333 |
| Med Plus Urgent Care | Fulton | 662-269-8000 |
| Med Plus Urgent Care | Tupelo | 662-841-0002 |
| Memorial Drinkwater Internal Medicine Walk-in Clinic | Bay Saint Louis | 228-867-5000 |
| Memorial Long Beach Walk-In | Long Beach | 228-867-5000 |
| Memorial Physician Clinics Walk-In Clinic, Wal Mart Lane | Biloxi | 228-575-2680 |
| Memorial Primary Care Cedar Lake | Biloxi | 228-867-5000 |
| Memorial Stone County Medical Center | Wiggins | 228-867-5000 |
| Memorial Surgery Center of Ocean Springs | Ocean Springs | 228-867-5000 |
| Neshoba General | Philadelphia | 601-663-1200 |
| North Mississippi Medical Center | Tupelo | 800-882-6274 or 662-377-3007 |
| Singing River Health System Clinics | Ocean Springs | 228-809-5044 |
| Singing River Health System Clinics | Pascagoula | 228-809-5044 |
| Singing River Health System Clinics | Hurley | 228-809-5044 |
| Singing River Health System Clinics | Vancleave | 228-809-5044 |
| Singing River Health System Clinics | Woolmarket | 228-809-5044 |
Note: This information has been reported to the DOH by individual facilities, who are responsible for its accuracy. Additional information can be found at the DOH website at www.msdh.ms.gov under “News Releases.
3. Update on number of cases. There were 42 new cases reported yesterday. Total cases statewide now number 249. Three new counties reported cases yesterday – Marion, Lamar, Tallahatchie.
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as protective masks, face shields, gowns, gloves, etc. It is my understanding that MEMA will be distributing 250,000 masks today all across the state. MEMA believes FEMA will be providing additional PPE this week, and the National Guard is ready to go get it whenever FEMA releases it to us. REMINDER – I am told that requests for PPE are to be made through the manager of your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) who will then forward the request to MEMA, and MEMA will try to meet the request. Therefore, if anyone needs to make a request for PPE, they should contact their local EMA.
5. Home confinement. I spoke with Dr. Dobbs yesterday and the Governor and Greg Michel of MEMA this morning. Currently, there is no plan for a mandatory stay home order. People are advised to stay home as much as possible. This is not only for your benefit but for the protection of others in the community as well. Avoid crowds of more than 10 and wash your hands repeatedly. That having been said, there has been no mandatory order from the DOH or any state authority that people stay home or that people shelter in place. If this changes, we will let you know.
6. Food and gas. We are assured by MEMA that there is no shortage of food or gas as some rumors have alleged. Buy what you need but do not overbuy. In fact, you have seen gas prices decline because of oversupply.
7. Tax filing deadline. We continue to make an appeal to the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue and the Governor to extend the state tax-filing deadline. We believe a decision on this will be made soon. Obviously, we will notify you once that decision is made.
8. Employers. We continue to appeal to the Governor for an executive order holding employers harmless in their unemployment rating for the increase in unemployment claims. We are hopeful this request will be done either today or tomorrow. Obviously, we will notify you if such an order is entered.
9. Help for small businesses. I am told that on Friday, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved the request for an Economic Disaster Declaration in Mississippi. The entire state of Mississippi has just been declared a disaster for COVID-19, which now opens up disaster loan assistance for small businesses and eligible nonprofits for economic injury relief. All Mississippi businesses and nonprofits that are severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans. These businesses can apply for up to $2 million in working capital that can provide vital economic support to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That information can be found at www.msema.org and go to the “News” link. County EMA Directors also have those applications. Those need to be turned in to MEMA before April 1, 2020.
10. Economic outlook. We continue to talk with Tony Greer of LBO, Darren Webb our state economist, and Herb Frierson of DOR in an effort to get the best possible understanding of our economic outlook. We plan to have another weekly meeting tomorrow. This will be crucial as we consider what relief we will be able to provide our citizens and as we begin to prepare the budget.
11. 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].
