Late February virus totals show lower case count; deaths climb by one

After weeks of upwardly spiraling coronavirus cases locally, the infection trend is now headed in the other direction, according to the latest statistics from the Mississippi Department of Health.

As of Tuesday, Feb. 22, Franklin County’s cumulative COVID-19 case count stood at 1,912 — an increase of just 14 since last week’s report issued on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

While infections were falling to rates similar to what was seen prior to Christmas, the county was credited with its 36th fatality connected with coronavirus during the week — ending a two-week period without a death reported locally.

The state health agency has released its case total tabulations for January and found Franklin County had seen the most number of COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began almost two years ago.

For the week ending Saturday, Jan. 1, the total number of people infected stood at 61, and had increased to 89 by the week ending Saturday, Jan. 8.

The case count began spiking during the week ending Saturday, Jan. 15 with 147 infections reported over the seven-day period.

The number sickened by the virus grew to 152 — the most of any reporting period in Franklin County — for the week ending Saturday, Jan. 22.

Instances of the illness began to decline for the reporting cycle ending Saturday, Jan. 29 as 66 confirmed infections were reported.

By Saturday, Feb. 5, the positive coronavirus findings had dipped to 47 for the week.

Also, as of Tuesday, Feb. 22, the health department reported 785,528 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state’s 82 counties since the pandemic began.

Officials noted 11,836 deaths in the Magnolia State tied to the virus since March, 2020.

COVID-19 shots and boosters continue to be administered between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Meadville.

To schedule an appointment at FCMH, individuals can call 601-384-8264.