Mississippi reports 351 new COVID-19 cases in schools from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3

Sarah Haselhorst, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·2 min read

Of 644 schools reporting from 70 of Mississippi's 82 counties, there were 351 new COVID-19 cases in Mississippi students statewide from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health's report Tuesday.

Positive cases among Mississippi students from the previous week spanning Nov. 15-19 more than doubled from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3. However, the Thanksgiving holiday affected Nov. 15-19's report.

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Eighty-four teachers and staff tested positive for the virus. Over 1,200 students, staff and teachers were quarantined due to possible exposure to COVID-19.

Since the beginning of the school year, nearly 22,000 Mississippi students have tested positive for the coronavirus and there have been 1,100 outbreaks at schools. As defined by the Mississippi State Department of Health, an outbreak occurs in a school setting where three or more people are diagnosed with the virus in the same group within a 14-day period.

Mississippi's fully vaccinated rate of children 12-17 remains low at 34%. About 13,400 residents aged 5-11 have gotten their first dose of Pfizer, according to Mississippi State Department of Health records.

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See how these five counties' schools compare:

In schools where there are five or fewer positive COVID-19 cases reported in a week, the Mississippi State Department of Health reports the school had 1-5 cases in order to "protect personal identity."

Hinds County

Positive cases in students Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: Between seven and 35

Students quarantined Nov. 30 to Dec. 3: 15

Madison County

Positive cases in students Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: Between five and 25

Students quarantined Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: 13

Rankin County

Positive cases in students Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: Between 14 and 70

Students quarantined Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: 63

Forrest County

Positive cases in students Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: Between six and 30

Students quarantined Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: 29

Lamar County

Positive cases in students Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: Between five and 25

Students quarantined Nov. 29 to Dec. 3: 40

Have a health story? Or a health-related tip? Send it along to shaselhorst@gannett.com, on Twitter at @HaselhorstSarah or call 601-331-9307.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi reports over 350 students with COVID from Nov. 29-Dec. 3