Mississippi’s COVID-19 numbers are on the rise with 533 new cases reported by the Mississippi State Department of Health between Jan. 1 and May 26.
According to the MSDH, there have been a total of 12,466 deaths in the state since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.
“We are seeing a slight increase in cases, long term care, and hospitalization,” said Liz Sharlot, MSDH director of communications of the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, mostly of the Omicron variant. “Nothing dramatic at this time. Omicron presents as a milder subvariant than previous, such as Delta.”
As of May 26, the MSDH has recorded 806,838 total cases in the state since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
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Vaccines and boosters?
COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are available at no cost at local county health facilities, pharmacies and healthcare providers throughout the state.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
“COVID-19 vaccine boosters can further enhance or restore protection that might have decreased over time after your primary series vaccination.
“People are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting all recommended boosters when eligible.
“There are different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
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“It is never too late to get the added protection offered by a COVID-19 booster. Find a vaccine provider.”
“People 65 years and older and adults 50–64 years old with underlying medical conditions should get a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine,” the CDC states. “Long-term care… workers age 18 years and older should also get the booster. If you are not vaccinated and were exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should wait until your quarantine is over to avoid getting others sick before getting your vaccine.”
Despite the recent rise in cases in Mississippi, high school and college graduations and sporting events have not been delayed or postponed.
