JACKSON — Anyone living in Mississippi who is diagnosed with COVID-19 must immediately isolate at home or face potential fines and/or imprisonment.
State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs Tuesday afternoon issued a statewide order for the isolation of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, effective immediately.
“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),” explained 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) and/or imprisonment for six months. 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 and/or imprisonment for up to five years (41-23-2).
The following protocols are recommended:
» Persons infected with COVID-19 should limit exposure to household contacts.
» No visitors should be allowed in the home.
» 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 face mask.
See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html for guidance on preventing transmission in the home.
