COVID-19 cases in Mississippi over 3,000; 13 deaths reported yesterday

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced Tuesday that COVID-19 cases had increased in the state by 145 to a total of 3,087 cases.

The numbers of deaths from the virus now stands at 111 after an additional 13 Mississippians died yesterday, the highest one-day death toll to date.

The number of cases in Warren County is unchanged Tuesday with 14 confirmed cases of the virus and no deaths. One long-term care facility is under investigation in the county.

Neighboring Issaquena County remains the only county in the state without any reported cases. Hinds County, which has more cases than any other county in Mississippi, is reporting 263 cases and two deaths. Additionally, four long-term care facilities are under investigation in Hinds County.

In other neighboring counties, Claiborne now reports six cases, an decrease of one since yesterday, and Sharkey is reporting three cases. Neither Claiborne or Sharkey has any reported deaths from the virus. Yazoo County reports 64 cases and one death, unchanged since yesterday.

MSDH reports new statistics on the COVID-19 coronavirus each morning based on the previous day’s testing and death reports.

As previously reported, cases and deaths from the virus are heavily skewed toward African Americans. As of yesterday, 56.2% of cases and 67% of COVID-19 deaths were among African Americans. Much of the racial distribution of the virus and deaths can be attributed to underlying health conditions that make people more vulnerable to the virus. Those conditions include cardiovascular disease and diabetes, among others.

All age groups have been affected by the disease, including children under 18 (73 cases). Deaths and hospitalizations from the virus, however, occur most frequently among those 60 and older. Ninety-seven of the state’s 111 deaths have been people over 60. No deaths among juveniles have been reported in Mississippi.

The rate of hospitalizations for those diagnosed with COVID-19 is still at 29% on Tuesday, one of the highest rates in the nation. The national average for hospitalizations is 12.3%.

Outbreaks under investigation in long-term care facilities now number 60 across the state, an increase of two since yesterday. Even one case is a long-term care facility is considered an outbreak because of the ages and poor health of many residents.

Anyone with symptoms of fever, severe cough or severe chest pains – especially those who are older or in poor health – should arrange for testing with their doctor or one of the many health-care providers now performing testing. Healthcare providers can assess your health history and symptoms and perform testing for COVID-19 as needed. MSDH is also helping conduct free drive-up testing sites in many parts of the state. Always call ahead to the testing provider for instructions on safely being examined before you visit for your test.

The number of people tested in Mississippi as of April 12 is 37,733, about 1.25% of the state’s population, with 28,321 tests performed by private labs. The number of tests completed by the MSDH Public Health Laboratory through April 13 is 9,660, with 1,063 positive results, a rate of more than 11%.

Find a COVID-19 testing provider near you

For more information, visit the MSDH website.

Mississippi COVID-19 cases, deaths and long-term care facility outbreaks to date: