Mississippi confirmed its first case of COVID-19 one year ago – March 11, 2020. In that time the virus has infected 299,124 people across the state and killed 6,864.
COVID-19 has killed more Mississippians than diabetes, Alzheimer’s, chronic liver disease, influenza, accidents, suicide, and homicide killed — combined — in 2019.
In January, Mississippi set new single-day records for new COVID-19 cases and deaths and a monthly record of 1,240 deaths. This spike was caused by holiday travel and gatherings.
However, change is taking shape. COVID-19 cases, deaths, and COVID-related hospital admissions in Mississippi have been trending downward since the January spike.
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The caseload for the first week of March was more than 83% lower than the January peak, and nearly 75% lower for hospitalizations.
“We’re not done with the COVID pandemic. COVID is real. And we’re really winning,” State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said during a Monday press conference.
MSDH officials acknowledge that any gains Mississippi has attained in combating the virus is based on how the public behaves. Spring break and the increased COVID vaccines being administered may influence a relaxed level of personal protective actions in the general public causing spike yet again.
January’s peak was attributed to holiday travel and gatherings, and the upcoming Spring Break and Gov. Tate Reeves’ removal of all state-imposed mask mandates and most COVID-related restrictions on business operations could cause another such spike.
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Dr. Dobbs has warned people against responding to decreasing infection numbers by abandoning the preventative measures that limit virus spread.
