Mississippi's COVID-19 numbers are on the rise again. What you need to know.
The Mississippi State Department of Health is urging residents, particularly the state's older adults, to take precautions as the state’s COVID-19 numbers have risen in recent weeks.
Between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2, 5,778 new cases of COVID-19 in the state were reported to MSDH, a Monday morning press release from MSDH states. Seven deaths occurred between Dec. 15 and Dec. 29 and eight deaths occurred between Dec. 4 and Dec. 17, identified from death certificate reports, MSDH reports.
“After weeks of low COVID-19 activity, Mississippi is seeing an increasing trend in cases,” MSDH's Monday press release states. “Community COVID-19 levels are elevated in much of the state, and some counties are reporting high activity, with protective measures recommended, especially for older adults.
"Find the recommended protective steps in your area by checking your county's Community COVID-19 Level: Check the COVID-19 Community Level in your county as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
Recommended actions people in counties indicated with Low (green), Medium (yellow) and High (orange), COVID-19 levels should take the following precautions, according to the MSDH press release:
Low, Medium and High
Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses.
Maintain ventilation improvements.
Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.
Medium and High
If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public.
If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.
High
Wear a high-quality mask or respirator.
If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.
MSDH also recommends the following actions:
Get Tested at Home or at Locations Statewide
Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. Testing can detect disease early and limit the spread to others.
MSDH offers free COVID-19 testing around the state, and free home test kits from any county health department.
Drop by a county health department near you to pick up free test kits
Get Boosted
"Being fully vaccinated with boosters is the best protection against severe COVID-19 illness," MSDH states. "Get the latest booster if it's been more than 2 months since your last booster or vaccination dose.
"Anyone 6 months and older can be vaccinated, and boosters are available for ages 5 and up. COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are available at county health departments at no charge to you."
More: How to get vaccinatedhttps://covidvaccine.msdh.ms.gov/
More: MSDH complete COVID Infohttps://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html
MSDH Hotline: 877-978-6453 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon) Hearing impaired? Dial 711 first, MSDHA said.
Free Home Test Kits
"Families can receive up to 8 free COVID-19 home tests (4 kits with two tests each) per month simply by picking them up at any county health department while supplies last. These rapid antigen tests are convenient, and can let you get treatment and protect others quickly should you become ill with COVID-19," according to MSDH.
More: Mississippi Health Departmentshttps://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/19,0,166.html
Report your home test kit results
"If you or a family member has a new positive test result for COVID-19 found with a home test kit, please use our online form to help us track COVID-19 in Mississippi.
"While MSDH reports COVID-19 numbers are up, the press release also states that Mississippi’s flu activity is falling, according to the press release:
“Surveillance finds fewer Mississippians reporting flu-like symptoms, but levels of influenza-like activity still remain high.
"Peak flu season continues across the U.S. and in Mississippi. Based on patients at selected clinics and hospitals who report flu-like symptoms, children and young adults are most frequently affected this flu season."
Flu Protection
"A seasonal flu shot is your best defense against getting flu, spreading it to others, and developing severe illness. Older adults and pregnant women are at greatest risk from severe flu, and should get a flu shot as soon as possible. Flu shots for children are available at all county health departments," MSDH reports.
Find a county health department near you
Flu information and Mississippi flu surveillance
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi's COVID-19 numbers are on the rise again.
