COVID-19 cases in Mississippi swell to 2,781 with 96 deaths

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced Sunday that COVID-19 cases had increased by 139 to a total of 2,781 cases.

The numbers of deaths from the virus now stands at 96 after an additional three Mississippians died yesterday.

Warren County now has 14 confirmed cases of the virus, an increase of three cases since yesterday. The county has not reported any deaths from the virus. One long-term care facility is under investigation in the county.

Neighboring Issaquena County is still the only county in the state without any reported cases. Hinds County, which has more cases than any other county in Mississippi, is reporting 247 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 increase of one since yesterday, and Sharkey is reporting three cases. Neither Claiborne or Sharkey has any reported deaths from the virus. Yazoo County reports 63 cases, up five from yesterday, and one death.

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. 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 (69 cases). Deaths and hospitalizations from the virus, however, occur most frequently among those 60 and older. No deaths among juveniles have been reported in Mississippi.

The rate of hospitalizations for those diagnosed with COVID-19 stands at 29% on Sunday, still 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 53 across the state, an increase of one 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.

Some 22,000 tests have been completed in Mississippi to date. The exact number is unclear as MSDH has not updated the number of tests from outside labs since April 5.

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: