A Hancock County resident has died from COVID-19, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.
MSDH tweeted Thursday afternoon that the victim was a man between the ages of 60 and 65, who had chronic underlying health conditions. MSDH did not immediately identify him by name.
The man’s death marks the first from the new coronavirus reported in Mississippi.
As of this morning, there were 80 cases of COVID-19 across 21 counties in the state. That is an increase of 30 confirmed cases since Thursday’s report.
National news outlets report there are now more than 14,000 confirmed cases across the United States and at least 217 deaths.
CMSD adds sites to meal service
The Columbus Municipal School District has added two additional pick-up sites for its children’s meal service, CMSD Superintendent of Schools Cherie Labat announced Thursday.
Beginning Monday, 100 breakfast/lunch meals will be available for pick up at East Columbus Gym, (222 Lawrence Drive) and Townsend Community Center (826 15th St. S.).
The district will continue to distribute the meal packages at five Columbus Housing Authority sites — Jesse Carter (1711 12th Ave. N.), William Washington (2201 Eighth Ave. S.), William Roberts (247 William Roberts Road) and Shield Sims (1515 Fourth St. S.).
Mitchell Library changes
Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library announced changes that will limit who can visit and hours of operation.
Only MSU faculty, staff and students will be allowed to enter the building, and custodial services will remain vigilant in cleaning the facility. Along with this restricted access, the library will operate with limited services.
Beginning today, the library’s only open areas will be Access Services, the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center and the Computer Commons. Hours will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Access to the library will be available only through the Computer Commons door on the west side close to the Drill Field. Library leaders are working with MSU’s Information Technology Services to enable MSU faculty, staff and students to use their MSU ID cards to gain entry.
Students will not be allowed to work in groups. All group study and reading rooms will be closed. Additionally, the first-floor reading room and fourth and fifth floors will be closed.
Access Services will retrieve any materials patrons need from library collections.
Cotton District Arts Festival postponed
Starkville’s annual Cotton District Arts Festival has been postponed from its scheduled April 18 date to later this year, organizers announced on the event’s official Facebook page Thursday. Organizers said they are working with the city of Starkville and Greater Starkville Development Partnership to reschedule the festival “or a version of it”, while also coordinating with the city of Oxford and other nearby festivals to make sure rescheduled events don’t overlap.
Held each April, the Cotton District Arts Festival traditionally attracts hundreds of artists and thousands of visitors for events ranging from a restaurant competition to a pet parade, with live music, food and art vendors.
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