Mississippi is nearing the highest number of Coronavirus cases per-capita in the nation, says State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs. Corinth School District reopened last week, now six students have tested positive for the Coronavirus, and more than 100 others are in quarantine. Additionally, schools in four other counties have reported outbreaks. Speaking on MPB's at issue, Dr. Dobbs says many schools are now delaying their reopening. "This is a unique situation where we haven't seen countries before open up schools when they had this level of transmission in the community. So are we gonna be able to keep schools open is a real question," says Dr. Dobbs.
Previously, residents who tested positive for the Coronavirus would receive personalized guidance from the health department, but Dr. Dobbs says there are too many cases to continue this practice. He says now, everyone who tests positive must isolate for 14 days or face penalties. He says "It's 14 days since the start of symptoms, so if you start feeling bad on one day, it's 14 days from that period of time. As you know, a lot of people don't even have symptoms. So if you get tested and you don't have symptoms, that 14 day period starts from the date of the test."
Wearing a mask is now required statewide under an executive order by the Governor. Dr. Dobbs says if everyone followed guidance, transmission of the virus could be slowed. "It's actually not a hard virus to beat, we've just chosen not to beat it," says Dr. Dobbs. "If we'll just wear a mask in public, keep separated from folks, and not go to social events we won't have the virus. I mean, if it doesn't have a way to skip from one person or the other, it can't spread. It will burn itself out in 10 days."
Dr. Dobbs says those simple rules can make it easier for hospitals to operate, long term care residents to see family, and schools to reopen.
