This morning, Mayor Toby Barker reiterated two actions that will continue to limit the potential spread of COVID-19. 1. If you don’t have an emergency need, do not go to the emergency room. This ties up critical emergency services and can cause an overload on our health care system. IF you have symptoms (fever, cough...
Category: News & Updates
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Hattiesburg and Forrest County Declare Local Emergency for COVID-19
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Following the lead of the federal government on Friday afternoon, Forrest County Board of Supervisor President David Hogan and Mayor Toby Barker both signed documents declaring the response to COVID-19 a local emergency, which has been categorized as a pandemic event, for both Forrest County and the City of Hattiesburg. This declaration...
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MSDH Confirms Second and Third Case for Forrest County
From the Mississippi Department of Health Jackson, Mississippi — Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports the second and third presumptive positive cases of coronavirus or COVID-19 in Mississippi. Final verification will come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One case is a Forrest County adult female over 65 who recently traveled...
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Mayor Toby Barker Pens Letter to Students
Below is a letter from Mayor Toby Barker to students considering Spring Break travel. To our university students, I do not count this as parental advice, as I am not nearly old enough – at least in my mind – to have children in college. So let’s just put me in the “real talk with...
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FGH Hosts Press Conference to Discuss First Case and Response
From Forrest General Hospital Hattiesburg, Mississippi — The first case of COVID-19 in the state was discussed during a press conference on Thursday at Forrest General Hospital. The State Department of Health confirmed on Wednesday that a 49-year-old Forrest County male resident had tested positive for the virus. At the press conference, Dr. Steve Farrell, chief...
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Hattiesburg Discusses COVID-19 with Stakeholders and Restricts Travel
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – While there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mississippi, Mayor Toby Barker convened with external stakeholders in the medical, education and emergency management communities on Monday, March 9 to discuss potential impacts and plans related to coronavirus. On Tuesday, March 10, the City of Hattiesburg’s administrative team issued a memo...
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MS Department of Health Reports First Case of COVID-19 in Forrest County
From the Mississippi Department of Health Jackson, Mississippi — Tonight the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus or COVID-19. Final verification will come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs will release additional information and guidelines to Mississippians at an...
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First Case of COVID-19 for Misssissippi Reported in Forrest County
Jackson, Mississippi — Tonight the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus or COVID-19. Final verification will come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs will release additional information and guidelines to Mississippians at an 11:00 press conference tomorrow morning. READ...
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March 9 – Daily Update
Hattiesburg, Mississippi — Currently, there are ZERO confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mississippi.
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Hattiesburg Bridges Divides and Builds Opportunities with $5.39M Grant
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Saturday afternoon, Mayor Toby Barker was joined by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Michele Gargiulo – District Director for Congressman Steven Palazzo, members from Hattiesburg City Council as well as local and statewide officials to discuss Hattiesburg’s recent award of $5.39 million in funding from the Department of Transportation to solve one...