MSDH reports second COVID-19 death in Warren County

The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting the second death from COVID-19 in Warren County this morning.

In addition, MSDH reports one additional confirmed case in the county bringing the number of cases to 22.

Across the state, the number of new COVID-19 cases soared by 238 Sunday to a total of 4,512.

Another 10 Mississippians died of the virus yesterday, bringing the number of deaths in the state to 169.

Neighboring Hinds County, which remains the state’s virus epicenter, is reporting 347 cases today, an increase of 10 since yesterday, and five deaths. Five long-term care facilities are under investigation in Hinds County.

In other neighboring counties, Claiborne reports 10 cases, and Sharkey reports three cases, both unchanged since yesterday. Neither Claiborne or Sharkey has any reported deaths from the virus. Yazoo County reports 95 cases, an increase of four since yesterday, and one death. Yazoo County is also reporting one outbreak in a long-term care facility. 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, 55.9% of cases (2,302) and 63.3% of COVID-19 deaths (107) in Mississippi were among African Americans.

Almost all of the COVID-19 deaths in Mississippi occurred among people with underlying health conditions, including obesity, lung disease and diabetes. The health of African Americans is contributing to their higher rate of death from COVID-19.

All age groups have been affected by the disease, including children under 18, with 118 cases, up five since yesterday. As of Monday, MSDH reports eight 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 Monday, 533 of Mississippi’s 819 hospitalizations, or about 65%, were among people over 60, and 89% of the state’s deaths have been people over 60.

The rate of hospitalizations for those diagnosed with COVID-19 is at 27% Monday, 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 77 across the state, an increase of eight 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 19 was 51,434, with 40,640 tests performed by private labs. The number of tests completed by the MSDH Public Health Laboratory through April 19 is 10,794, with 1,222 positive results, a rate of 11.32%.

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: