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Mississippi schools to close until April 17 due to COVID-19

Thursday morning, the state health department announced Mississippi confirmed cases of coronavirus.

JACKSON, Miss — Schools in Mississippi will now be closed until April 17th, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday morning.

The news came as the Mississippi State Department of Health announced 16 new cases of COVID-19 in the state. That includes a second confirmed case in Desoto County.

Find more on the Mississippi cases and preventive steps to take against COVID-19 are online at http://HealthyMS.com/covid-19.

Watch Reeves' Thursday morning announcement HERE.

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Coronavirus in Context: 

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80-percent of the cases there were mild.

But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.

Lower your risk

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 
  • If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.

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