Mississippi has experienced a significant rise in COVID-19 cases during the last month. The increase has raised an alarm with state leadership, who have begun discussing possible solutions to ensure that the state’s healthcare industry is not overrun.
According to the MS Department of Health, over a three day period from August 20 through August 22, the state registered 7,249 new cases.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, Simpson County has had 3,736 cases to date.
Governor Tate Reeves held a coronavirus briefing on August 19 to update Mississippians with the latest facts concerning the virus. He stated that 1,633 patients are in hospitals battling Covid-19 with 486 in ICU beds. He also said that the numbers are steadily increasing with the presence with the Delta variant.
He said in the last month 89 percent of hospitalizations and 87 percent of deaths have occurred among the unvaccinated.
Reeves reported that over 1.35 million Mississippians have received at least their first dose of the vaccination, and the total hospitalizations among the vaccinated have been approximately 150. Reeves admitted that there are some mild side effects with the vaccine, but statistics show that it is effective at preventing serious disease and death. No single county in Mississippi has the majority of its residents vaccinated, and in 16 counties over 40 percent of the population is vaccinated.
Reeves said, “Getting the vaccine is your choice. It is your decision and as your Governor, I respect your decision. But please know that more and more Mississippians are concluding that getting vaccinated is a good choice, not only for themselves but for the people around them. If you are not vaccinated yet, I hope you will talk to your doctor and study the statistics. Make your decision on facts.”
Reeves suggested those who choose not to be vaccinated should consider protecting themselves and the people they love. He urged them to continue practicing social distancing, masking and avoiding unnecessary indoor crowds.
He said, “These all have proven to help and they’re all things you can decide to do on your own.”
He said, “I’d like to take a moment and talk about that idea of responsibility. I believe you, as an individual Mississippian, can be trusted to make good and responsible decisions. Good practices are a choice. Staying healthy is a choice. Keeping your neighbors and co-workers healthy is a choice. Let’s all make the right choices.”
Reeve gave details of several incoming resources to help the state’s hospital system. He said MEMA is currently reviewing bids for clinical staffing task orders for hospitals around the state. The staffing companies are currently providing lists of their staff to MEMA and the Department of Health for medical licensing in Mississippi. MEMA also received 150 ventilators from FEMA to assist hospitals around the state.
Reeves said, “My objective is to give Mississippians the facts, give them and their local officials the tools to make good decisions, and then trust them to love each other enough to do it. Stay safe Mississippi and God Bless.”
