Coronavirus cases grow by 16 during past week

Franklin County saw another surge of 16 positive cases of coronavirus during the past week, according to the latest update provided by the Mississippi Department of Health.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 7, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the county — dating back to March, 2020 — had grown to 1,271, which is up from 1,255 infections reported as of Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Additionally, the state health agency noted another fatality in the county related to the virus and that brings the number of deaths to 30 since the pandemic began.

Statewide, health officials reported 517,138 cumulative cases of coronavirus in all 82 counties while the Magnolia State’s death toll now stands at 10,306.

On Monday, Dec. 6, the Mississippi Department of Health confirmed the first reported case of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 illness in Mississippi.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, who serves as state health officer, said information on the infection rate and severity of the Omicron variant are still unknown.

“Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from the effects of COVID-19 and can reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging,” Dobbs said.
“The vaccines are also highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death.”

Dobbs confirmed cases of the Delta variant of the illness are still being reported throughout Mississippi with an uptick in hospitalizations seen statewide at the end of November and start of December.

Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Meadville is administering shots and boosters from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

To schedule an appointment for the vaccination, call 601-384-8264.

With Monday’s announcement, Mississippi joined 16 other states — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington — that have reported cases of Omicron.