NEW HIGH: 3,023 new COVID-19 cases, 29 new deaths reported Wednesday in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (WLOX) - In Mississippi, there were a record high 3,023 new cases of COVID-19 and 29 new deaths reported Wednesday in the entire state.

On Dec. 30, MSDH reported 556 new cases and 2 new deaths for the six southernmost counties.

The new cases are reported in the following counties: Harrison County (178), Jackson County (117), Pearl River County (78), Hancock County (52), George County (19), and Stone County (12).

Between Dec. 22 and Dec. 29, new deaths occurred in the following: Harrison County (1) and George County (1). The death is Harrison County was a resident in a long-term care facility.

*The graphics in this story will be updated once they’re available on the MSDH website.

Hospitalizations

As of Dec. 28, there were 1340 people hospitalized in Mississippi with confirmed infections. Of those, 325 were in the ICU and 201 were on ventilators. The majority of people who get COVID-19 will not require hospitalization, say health officials.

Mississippi investigates both probable and confirmed cases and deaths, said MSDH. As of Dec. 29 at 6pm, there have been a total of 213,055 cases investigated, which includes 146,932 confirmed cases. There have been 4,747 deaths investigated, including 3,804 confirmed deaths.

Probable cases are those who test positive by other testing methods such as antibody or antigen, and have recent symptoms consistent with COVID-19, indicating a recent infection.

Probable deaths are those individuals with a designation of COVID-19 as a cause of death on the death certificate, but where no confirmatory testing was performed.

Recoveries

As of Dec. 27, there are 167,263 people who are presumed to have recovered from COVID-19.

In order to determine the presumed number of people who have recovered from the virus, state health officials say the patient must meet one of two criteria. For patients who were NOT hospitalized, they are considered recovered if they have not tested positive for the virus after 14 days. For patients who were hospitalized or if hospitalization was unknown, they are presumed recovered if it has been 21 days or more since they tested positive.

Pediatric Cases, including MIS-C, and Underlying Conditions

Cases among adults ages 25-39 are highest, warns MSDH. Most geriatric cases occur in the 70-79 age group. The majority of pediatric cases are in children between the ages of 11-17.

Mississippi reported its first pediatric death from COVID-19 on Sept. 1, 2020. Officials said the child was between the ages of 1-5.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 that causes inflammation in many body parts, including the heart and other vital organs. Those aged 20 and younger diagnosed with MIS-C have either been infected with COVID-19 or been around someone who has COVID-19.

Underlying conditions are also reported in many of the deaths that have resulted from coronavirus complications

Long-term Care Facilities

A total of 9,271 patients diagnosed with the virus are currently in long-term care facilities throughout the state as of Dec. 29. In all, 1,694 people diagnosed while in long-term care facilities have died.

MSDH says: “Long-term care (LTC) facilities like nursing homes are considered high-risk locations because their residents are older or in poor health. Even one case of COVID-19 in these facilities among residents or employees is considered an outbreak. We investigate residents, staff and close contacts of infected individuals for possible exposure.”

Testing

As of Dec. 19, a total of 1,730,435 tests have been done statewide, which includes the number of tests by MSDH and the number of tests given by other providers. That includes 1,267,602 PCR tests, 60,877 antibody tests, and 401,956 antigen tests.

PCR testing detects current, active COVID-19 infection in an individual. Antibody (serology) testing identifies individuals with past COVID-19 infection based on antibodies they develop one to three weeks after infection.

In all, MSDH labs have conducted 98,020 tests as of Dec. 29. Of those, 11,685 have shown positive results

Drive-through clinics for testing are popping up across the state. However, health officials are asking that you call ahead to make sure you meet the qualifications for testing.

Anyone wanting to be tested for COVID-19 can complete a pre-screening by calling one of the following hotlines:

• Memorial Hospital Coronavirus Hotline: 228-867-5000
• Singing River Health System Coronavirus Hotline: 228-809-5044
• MS Dept. of Health Coronavirus Hotline: 877-978-6453.

Copyright 2020 WLOX. All rights reserved.