JACKSON AP) — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that hospitals in the state have about 3,000 beds, and projections show that almost 100 more beds will be needed when the state reaches its peak of the coronavirus outbreak in the next few weeks.
As part of Mayor Toby Barker's ongoing efforts to keep Hattiesburg area residents informed, safe and responsible during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor released an update Monday on social media channels regarding the number of cases in the area, essential tasks and personal responsibility.
What happens to the homeless in light of the current coronavirus epidemic?
It’s hard to tell, because most of the previously known homeless camps are abandoned or otherwise vacant, said Kim Townsend, who coordinates Hattiesburg’s efforts to assist the local homeless population.
“Things are changing day to day,” she said.
Mayor Toby Barker has issued another executive order regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, this one stipulating that all employees of businesses in Hattiesburg - essential and non-essential - are required to wear a mask when working around the public or other employees.
While most events have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hattiesburg Half Marathon will be taking a different race path.
For its ninth annual race, instead of hosting its annual race day, runners will be competing in a virtual race.
The Hattiesburg Concert Association, which presents FestivalSouth, announced Wednesday that the festival has been canceled and that all events have been moved to 2021.
However, online voting in the Best of the Pine Belt awards, which are sponsored by Signature Magazine, will continue.
The residents of Hattiesburg have pulled together for their neighbors time and again in the face of disaster, whether that be Hurricane Katrina in 2005 or the several tornadoes that have passed through the area in recent years.
Members of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors - along with other supervisors from around Mississippi - teleconferenced Thursday with Gov. Tate Reeves to get updates and clarifications on the COVID-19 situation in Mississippi and the recent shelter-in-place gubernatorial executive order that began 5 p.m. April 3 and will last until 8 a.m.
A Hattiesburg woman who was recently arrested for possession of weapons, aggravated assault and criminal street gang activity - among several other offenses - has had her bond set at a total of $132,000 for six felony charges.
Universities in the Pine Belt continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University have moved their summer classes to online formats. Spring classes are already meeting in these formats.
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