COVID cases increase sharply across MS after Christmas holiday. Here’s the data.
Following a pause on releasing COVID-19 data until after the Christmas holiday, the Mississippi State Department of Health on Monday reported 7,058 more positive cases and five deaths across the state.
The state’s health department recorded last Tuesday 873 more cases of COVID and six deaths in Mississippi — the last time they published updates.
Still, the five-day Monday update, which averages 1,411 cases per day, is a sharp increase in positive COVID cases for the state.
Mississippi had been averaging 500-750 daily cases during the three weeks ahead of the post-holiday update.
Across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, 537 positive cases were reported in the same Dec. 21-27 time period, with no recorded deaths.
The spike in cases came as the state has been seeing a “rapid increase in COVID ER visits,” according to State Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
The omicron variant has been spreading rapidly in more densely populated parts of the country and is expected to soon reach the MS Gulf Coast.
Health officials have continued to encourage residents to get their vaccinations or booster shots as protective steps in the coming weeks to prevent omicron spread, as they are the strongest defense against the virus.
Now, 48% of Mississippians are recorded having have received both shots, with 29% having received a booster.
On the Coast, Harrison County is 44% fully vaccinated, 43% of Jackson County have their shots and and Hancock County is 35% vaccinated.
This article and live event is supported by the Journalism and Public Information Fund, a fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
