MSDH reports 264 additional COVID-19 cases and seven more deaths Thursday

The Mississippi State Department of Health reports Thursday that COVID-19 cases across the state increased by 264 to a total of 3,624 cases.

Seven more Mississippians died of the virus yesterday, bring the number of COVID-19 deaths in the state to 129.

MSDH is reporting one additional confirmed case in Warren County on Thursday, bringing the number of cases in the county to 16, an increase of one case since yesterday. The number of deaths in the county stands at one.

Neighboring Hinds County, which remains the state’s virus epicenter, is reporting 301 cases today, an increase of 21, and four deaths. Additionally, five long-term care facilities are under investigation in Hinds County, a decrease of one since yesterday.

In other neighboring counties, Claiborne reports eight cases and Sharkey reports three cases, both unchanged since yesterday. Neither Claiborne or Sharkey has any reported deaths from the virus. Yazoo County reports 72 cases, an increase of seven 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. As of yesterday, 56.2% of cases and 66% 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, with 87 cases, up five since yesterday. As of Wednesday, MSDH reported seven cases in infants less than one year old. That count was reduced by two on Thursday. 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 this morning, 113 of the state’s 129 deaths, or just over 87.5%, have been people over 60.

The rate of hospitalizations for those diagnosed with COVID-19 is at 28%, 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 65 across the state, a decrease 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.

The number of people tested in Mississippi as of April 12 is 37,733, with 28,321 tests performed by private labs. The number of tests completed by the MSDH Public Health Laboratory through April 15 is 10,068, with 1,127 positive results, a rate of just over 11%.

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.

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: