It is possible that masks could soon be manadatory in Jefferson Davis County.

“Because of the increase in cases in Jefferson Davis County, we have reached out to the governor’s office to possibly have Jefferson Davis County added to the executive mask mandate order already in place,” said Jefferson Davis County Board President Bobby Rushing.

There are 23 counties in the state in which masks are currently required in public.

The governor originally mandated Claiborne, Desoto, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Quitman, Rankin, Sunflower, Washington and Wayne counties.

Ten more coutnies were added over the weekend to include: Bolivar, Covington, Forrest, Humphreys, Panola, Sharkey, Simpson, Tallahatchie, Tate and Walthall counties.

“We are trying to keep our citizens and the employees in this community as safe as possible.”

An environmental services company will return  to Prentiss for a second round of spraying to thoroughly disinfect all county buildings in the wake of the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Jefferson Davis County now has 153 cases of COVID-19 on record according to the Mississippi State Department of Health website Tuesday morning.

An increase of 20 in the past week with nine cases alone reported Saturday morning.

The spraying will take place after the close of business this Friday.

An employee in each county building is asked to contact JDC Emergency Management Director Jocelyn Ragsdale to coordinate building entry.

The company originally sprayed all county buildings at the end of May.

“Please continue to practice social distancing and protect yourself by wearing a mask and gloves, as well as using hand santizer,” said Jefferson Davis County Emergency Management Director Jocelyn Ragsdale.

“We need to do everything we can to protect our citizens and stop the spread of this virus in our county.”

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, please stay home and avoid contact with others.

Masks for the community will be distributed July 31 at J.E. Johnson Elementary School in Prentiss (former Prentiss High School) and Aug. 1 at Jefferson Davis County High School in Bassfield.

Masks will be dispersed from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day while supplies last.

These are washable masks, and will be limited to one package per vehicle, again, while supplies last.

This is a drive through service and citizens will remain inside their vehicle.