MS reports 1,348 new COVID cases, highest so far in August. Coast has 7 more deaths.
Mississippi’s steady trend of fewer COVID-19 cases hit a snag on Wednesday with the state health department reporting 1,348 new cases and 36 deaths.
It is the largest single-day case load of August after clearing that mark six times in July.
There were seven deaths reported in the state’s southernmost six counties — the second highest mark of the year.
There were three new deaths announced in Stone County, which had only six before Wednesday.
Stone County has seen a bump in COVID-19 cases in August. After ending July with 144 cases for the year, that total grew to 264 on Wednesday.
Last week, Sheriff Mike Farmer told the Sun Herald that the Stone County jail had an outbreak that included 12 confirmed cases among inmates and staff.
Jackson County and Pearl River County each had two deaths reported on Wednesday.
Of South Mississippi’s 170 deaths this year, 15 have been reported this week.
The state health department did not immediately update its hospitalization figures. As of Aug. 17, there were 929 people hospitalized with confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 284 in intensive care.
There have been 74,555 cases of COVID-19 with 2,137 deaths in Mississippi this year.
There were 56,577 people who were presumed to have recovered from COVID-19 as of Aug. 16.
COVID-19 cases in South Mississippi
George — 647 (6 new)
Hancock — 436 (4 new)
Harrison — 2,868 (32 new)
Jackson — 2,594 (76 new)
Pearl River — 632 (14 new)
Stone — 264 (5 new)
