Harrison County Emergency Management on Coronavirus

As cases of the Coronavirus are increasing in the U.S., with two cases reported very close to home in Florida, Harrison County Emergency Management is keeping a close eye on the virus as it spreads.

While no cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Harrison County or the state of Mississippi, emergency officials are following information provided by the Mississippi Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We’re still in cold and flu season, so as with any illness, officials recommend everyone to wash their hands thoroughly, stay home if you are sick, and cover your mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze. Harrison County EMA Director Rupert Lacy said, “It is one of those that is a concern for everybody and in the case that this should elevate, emergency management is a key player, but it is a public health issue, so we’ll be taking direction from the State Department of Health and the state epidemiologist.”

Harrison County now plans on doing a campaign with local senior centers. Lacy says the message is not to alarm anyone, but rather to inform the Gulf Coast on safe practices to keep residents out of harm’s way.