The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting 2,756 new cases of COVID-19.
Today’s report brings the state’s total number of cases up to 215,811. With the confirmation of *40 additional deaths, 4,787 Mississippians have now passed away from the virus.
*MSDH Note: 2 COVID-19 related deaths occurred between December 22 and December 26, identified from death certificate reports.
Overall hospitalizations continue to rise, and State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs tweeted this morning that the state hit several grim milestones as the pandemic places additional stress on the healthcare system.
NEW COVID RECORDS 12/30
Highest number of COVID patients in ICU – 346 (5 of them are children)
Highest number of COVID patients on ventilators: 219
Highest number of total ICU patients on record: 842
Please be safe this New Years. We all know what to do… pic.twitter.com/GB29eiMcxp
— thomas dobbs (@TCBPubHealth) December 31, 2020
Dr. Dobbs and other health officials urge you to keep your New Year’s Eve celebrations small and outdoors if possible, however, severe weather may throw a wrench in those plans.
Wednesday, MSDH officials detailed the launch of a drive-thru vaccination network for healthcare workers across the state. Additionally, it was explained that Mississippi has received around 120,000 doses of vaccine with 17,000 Mississippians having gotten the shot to this point.
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