Schools in 2 MS Coast counties report most COVID-19 cases, outbreaks in the state
Schools in Harrison and Jackson counties have seen some of the state’s worst numbers for coronavirus cases and outbreaks since school began, according to the latest figures released by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Schools in Jackson County have reported more COVID-19 cases than any other county in the state, with 123 students and 44 teachers testing positive since school started.
Schools in Harrison County, which includes Biloxi, Gulfport, Harrison County, Long Beach and Pass Christian school districts, have recorded 13 outbreaks so far, the most of any county in the state. Eighty-six students and 33 teachers in the county have tested positive for COVID-19.
The health department defines an “outbreak” as at least three cases of COVID-19 “in an individual classroom or group sports team, group activity, band, other.”
Jackson County, which had the most outbreaks of any county in the state when the first set of data was released last week, reported one additional outbreak this week, but the figure in the column for “total outbreaks since start of school” remained unchanged from last week, at seven. The reason for the discrepancy is unclear.
If seven is the correct number of outbreaks so far, Jackson County is tied for second place, with Bolivar County also reporting seven outbreaks.
The state’s data is not complete: 763 schools out of 1,200 statewide have reported to the state. In six of the state’s 82 counties, including Stone County, no schools have reported coronavirus information. There are also some discrepancies in the data, such as a county reporting fewer total positive cases since the start of school this week than in the first data release. These discrepancies are noted.
Here’s the information for each Coast county:
George
Total new cases among students, week of Aug. 24-28: 1
Total new cases among staff, week of Aug. 24-28: 0
Total new outbreaks, week of Aug. 24-28: 0
Teachers/staff quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 5
Students quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 51
Total cases among students since school started: 3
Total cases among staff since school started: 12
Outbreaks since school started: 0
Hancock
Total new cases among students, week of Aug. 24-28: 2
Total new cases among staff, week of Aug. 24-28: 0
Total new outbreaks, week of Aug. 24-28: 0
Teachers/staff quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 0
Students quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 4
Total cases among students since school started: 3 (note: last week’s data showed 14 cases among students)
Total cases among staff since school started: 0 (note: last week’s data showed 1 staff case)
Outbreaks since school started: 0 (note: last week’s data had 1 outbreak)
Harrison
Total new cases among students, week of Aug. 24-28: 30
Total new cases among staff, week of Aug. 24-28: 8
Total new outbreaks, week of Aug. 24-28: 9
Teachers/staff quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 27
Students quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 424
Total cases among students since school started: 86
Total cases among staff since school started: 33
Outbreaks since school started: 13
Jackson
Total new cases among students, week of Aug. 24-28: 38
Total new cases among staff, week of Aug. 24-28: 10
Total new outbreaks, week of Aug. 24-28: 1
Teachers/staff quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 24
Students quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 227
Total cases among students since school started: 123
Total cases among staff since school started: 44
Outbreaks since school started: 7 (note: Last week’s data also showed 7 but there is 1 new outbreak. It is unclear how the county could report an additional outbreak this week and still have seven total.)
Pearl River
Total new cases among students, week of Aug. 24-28: 13
Total new cases among staff, week of Aug. 24-28: 4
Total new outbreaks, week of Aug. 24-28: 1
Teachers/staff quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 29
Students quarantined, week of Aug. 24-28: 99
Total cases among students since school started: 22
Total cases among staff since school started: 9
Outbreaks since school started: 1
Stone
Data for Stone County was not released on Tuesday.
See the full list of state data here: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/resources/10574.pdf
