MS reports nearly 4,900 COVID cases, the highest in a day since delta wave in August
Mississippi hit another COVID-19 record on Thursday, reaching the highest number of single-day cases recorded since the delta’s fourth wave.
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 4,885 more positive cases and 11 deaths across the state. The state’s six southern counties hit 923 new cases, the highest one-day case count since Aug. 27.
On Wednesday, MSDH officials said the majority of COVID cases in the state are now the omicron variant, a highly transmissible strain of the virus that has in just a few days increased cases across the state by 80% and hurled Mississippi into a fifth wave.
“[Omicron] is the most highly contagious variant we’ve seen. And we’re in the midst of a peak of transmission that we’ve never seen, most likely this whole pandemic,” said State Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs during a Wednesday press conference.
South Mississippi has also recorded six new deaths this week, almost double what the area had seen the previous two weeks.
MSDH has noted a rapid rise in hospitalizations from the spike in cases, and the state is experiencing some of its highest numbers of emergency room visits of the entire pandemic.
“They’re absolutely getting bombarded with cases,” said Dobbs.
Health officials have continued to encourage residents to get their vaccinations or booster shots, especially before New Years Eve gatherings, to prevent omicron spread. Vaccines remain the strongest defense against the virus as the state experiences an extreme shortage of monoclonal antibody infusion treatments.
“It’s incumbent upon every person to take the personal responsibility to prevent transmission to themselves and to their families and to their loved ones while we have this transmission going on,” Dobbs said.
The health department also urges Mississippians to be safe when celebrating New Year’s Eve. Their data shows that hospitalizations have risen almost 50% in four days.
“Both Delta and Omicron variants are capable of causing serious illness. Indoor gatherings spread COVID-19 very easily, so please plan a safe and healthy weekend for your family and friends.”
This article is supported by the Journalism and Public Information Fund, a fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
