Mississippi’s Health Officials Warn About 4th Wave!

The State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs announced,the 4th wave is here. Hearth officials predicted that the current COVID-19 cases could surpass last Winter’s record. On Monday, 2,326 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, making it the highest reported in the state since February. Mississippi is known for having one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. State Rep. Jeramey Anderson of Moss Point posted the Health Department numbers on Twitter and listed out the people who haven’t received their vaccination. He said cases are increasing because of not getting vaccinated and not wearing masks.

Health Officials Warn About 4th Wave

According to MSDH data, hospitalizations of COVID patients have doubled in the last two weeks. MSDH warned people ages 65 or above with health issues to avoid going out even if they were vaccinated. It seems like people in Mississippi didn’t take the guidance and warnings seriously. Governor Tate Reeves’s spokesperson declared there is no intention of requiring masks for teachers and students in schools in 2021. CDC also designated Mississippi as a least-vaccinated US state. It is known as one of two states where fewer than 40% of the population has been vaccinated.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs stated that 94% of new cases and 93% of deaths among people who were not vaccinated. In the last week, the National Guard was removed from vaccination spots across the state. However, free COVID-19 vaccinations will be available in all county health departments starting July 19. MSDH is going to introduce more pop-up vaccination sites across the state. Dr. Dobbs warned there would be bed shortages in intensive care units. There is no bed available among 11 major ICU facilities in the state. According to state health data, the number of ICU beds is the lowest since March. However, new cases were confirmed in hospitals in Mississippi, morethan 369 in the weekend. 34% of patients were admitted to intensive care.

Dr. Dobbs during the radio program on “SuperTalk Mississippi” mentioned that every new COVID case can be attributed to the delta variant. The state is reporting an increased number of new COVID-19 cases. 

He further added that 90% of people who died had not been vaccinated against the virus. This month the state Department of Health declared new guidelines to help reduce the spread of the delta variant, asking people aged 65 or above to stay indoors and avoid social gatherings. It also urges all residents 12 or older to receive their doses. The number of fully vaccinated people in the state is less than 34%. At the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, they transformed rooms into ‘COVID treatment bays.’ Nearly 50 people were hospitalized at the Medical Center, and five adults were admitted to ICU. The hospital urged people to get vaccinations or wear an N95 mask.

COVID-19 virus is spreading in the state rapidly. People need to stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as social distancing, wearing a mask, and receiving vaccination can reduce the spread of the virus.