State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs MD, MPH, issued a statewide order Aug. 4 for the isolation of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 effective immediately.

The order, issued to everyone living in Mississippi, stipulates that anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 must immediately isolate at home.

“We have a lot of COVID activity throughout the state right now, so it is absolutely critical that anyone infected with COVID-19, and not hospitalized, must remain in the home or other appropriate residential location for 14 days from onset of illness (or from the date of a positive test for those who are asymptomatic),” said Dobbs.

The failure or refusal to obey the lawful order of a health officer is, at a minimum, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 (41-3-59) or imprisonment for six months or both. If a life-threatening disease is involved, failure or refusal to obey the lawful order of a health officer is a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to five years or both (41-23-2).

Persons infected with COVID-19 should limit exposure to household contacts.

No visitors should be allowed in the home. Please stay in a specific room away from others in your home.

Use a separate bathroom if available.

If you need to be around others in your home, you should wear a facemask.

Please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html for guidance on preventing transmission in the home.

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As of Tuesday, 255 cases and seven deaths have been reported in Jefferson Davis County.