Mississippi shows largest COVID-19 case increase to-date with 300; Warren County adds three cases

Sunday’s COVID-19 statistics from the Mississippi State Department of Health show the largest one-day increase in cases across the state since the crises began. The number of new cases soared by 300 yesterday to a total of 4,274.

Another seven Mississippians died of the virus yesterday, bringing the number of deaths in the state to 159.

MSDH is reporting three additional confirmed case in Warren County on Saturday, bringing the number of cases in the county to 21. Twelve of the reported cases are African Americans. The number of reported deaths in the county remains at one.

Neighboring Hinds County, which remains the state’s virus epicenter, is reporting 337 cases today, an increase of 12 since yesterday, and five deaths. Five long-term care facilities are under investigation in Hinds County.

In other neighboring counties, Claiborne reports 10 cases, an increase of two since Saturday, and Sharkey reports three cases, unchanged since yesterday. Neither Claiborne or Sharkey has any reported deaths from the virus. Yazoo County reports 91 cases, an increase of six since yesterday, and one death. Issaquena County remains the only county in the state without any reported cases.

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, and on Friday MSDH began reporting racial breakdowns of each county’s statistics. As of today, 55.8% of cases (2,203) and 62.9% of COVID-19 deaths (100) in Mississippi 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 of which are more prevalent in African Americans. Almost all the deaths from the virus in Mississippi occurred in people with underlying health issues.

(Source: MSDH)

All age groups have been affected by the disease, including children under 18, with 113 cases, up 11 since yesterday. As of Sunday, MSDH reports seven cases in infants less than one year old, an increase of one since yesterday. No deaths among juveniles have been reported in Mississippi.

Deaths and hospitalizations from the virus occur most frequently among those 60 and older. As of Sunday, 527 of Mississippi’s 808 hospitalizations, or about 65%, were among people over 60. On Saturday 88% of the state’s deaths have been people over 60.

The rate of hospitalizations for those diagnosed with COVID-19 is at 27.5% Sunday, still one of the highest rates in the nation. The national average for hospitalizations from the virus is 12.3%; however, the rate increases to 38.7 per 100,000 for those 65 and older.

Outbreaks under investigation in long-term care facilities now number 69 across the state, unchanged 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.

The number of people tested in Mississippi as of April 12 was 37,733, with 28,321 tests performed by private labs. The number of tests completed by the MSDH Public Health Laboratory through April 18 is 10,558, with 1,198 positive results, a rate of 11.35%.

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.

Free, one-day testing sites will be in Claiborne and Yazoo counties, among others, this coming week.

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: