Photo by Luc Brown
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Madison County rose by five Saturday, bringing the total number of cases to 27, according to a news release from the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.
The new COVID-19 cases were announced Saturday afternoon.
The health department said the newest patients are a 54-year-old male, a 20-year-old male, a 51-year-old female, a 69-year-old female, and a 23-year-old female. They were all told to self-isolate at home.
The health department’s epidemiology staff is reaching out to people who had contact with the patients.
So far, the department said it has received two positive COVID-19 test results from the Mar. 26 drive-through assessment site at the Jackson Fairgrounds. Thirty-eight people tested negative and 26 tests are still pending.
According to models, Madison County is expected to peak in its number of COVID-19 cases mid-April to end of April, health officials said this week.
Shelter-At-Home executive orders were announced Friday by City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris. The orders go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, April 5, and last for seven days. The mayors said they will re-visit and renew the order in six days.
The order said only life-sustaining businesses should remain open and that you should only leave home for essential reasons or services. Conger said violation of the order is a class A misdemeanor, which carries up to a $2,5oo fine and up to 11 months and 29 days in jail.
Conger also announced that evictions are suspended.
You can read Conger’s executive order here: Executive-Order-2020.06.