COVID-19 records shattered in MS and on Coast after latest health department report
The week begins with a record number of coronavirus cases in the state, including a new single-day record in South Mississippi, and record numbers of people hospitalized with the virus, in intensive care and on ventilators.
Gov. Tate Reeves on Monday extended the order that everyone in Harrison and Jackson counties must wear masks for another two weeks. Harrison County had 69 new cases Monday and Jackson County topped 1,000 cases since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the numbers continue to soar, several records were set Monday:
▪ There are 1,251 new cases in Mississippi today. The previous record was 1,230 on July 16.
▪ There are 145 new cases in South Mississippi. The previous record was 135 on July 17.
▪ The 7-day average is at a record 1,030 new cases per day, the first time it has topped 1,000.
▪ The 7-day average for South Mississippi also is at a record 113 per day.
▪ There are now 1,119 hospitalized statewide. There were 676 people hospitalized on June 27.
▪ ICU and ventilator numbers among those with confirmed cases of coronavirus also set records, with 284 people statewide in ICU and 143 patients on ventilators.
So many people are being tested, said Singing River Health System CEO Lee Bond, that it’s taking much longer to get the results.
What was a turnaround of 1 to 2 days now is taking 6 to 7 days, he said.
“Some places in our region are taking 10-14 days or more,” he said.
He said the long wait time is “due to the fourth of July implosion in demand of testing,” with more than 2,000 tests requested last week.
“Most of the supplies (the chemical reagents, the tubes, and even the swabs!) for this testing at the labs are also rationed by the government,” he said.
SRHS reported on July 15 there were 13,125 total tests to date with 932 positives, or about 7% positive. The state positive rate is 21% and the nation’s rate is around 9%.
The state has reported 43,889 cases of COVID-19 with 1,358 deaths. Estimated recoveries now are 30,315.
South Mississippi has 3,429 cases and 91 deaths, with an additional death reported Monday in Jackson County.
Total cases by county:
George —179 (16 new)
Hancock — 204 (14 new)
Harrison — 1,456 (69 new)
Jackson — 1,115 (34 new)
Pearl River — 371 (8 new)
Stone — 104 (4 new)
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 12:45 PM.
