The Mississippi State Department of Health on Thursday reported the death of another resident of Tallahatchie County due to COVID-19, bringing the total to 46 since the pandemic began.
According to the MSDH daily report of COVID-19 statistics Thursday, 3,850 new cases of the virus and 17 additional deaths were logged statewide. The deaths occurred between Aug. 14 and Sept. 1, it was noted.
Since the first report of infections in March 2020, a total of 443,511 positive cases of COVID-19 have been documented among Mississippians, along with 8,507 deaths, MSDH said Thursday.
Of those infected individuals, 372,119 are presumed to have recovered, according to the latest MSDH estimate released early this week.
Tallahatchie County has had 2,078 positive cases of the virus since the first local case was reported March 23, 2020. The first local COVID-19 death was announced by state health officials on April 17, 2020.
Officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination to offer protection and help to stem the spread of the highly-contagious delta variant of COVID-19.
MSDH noted that during the period of Aug. 4-31, 99% of those testing positive for the virus in the Magnolia State were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, such as having received one shot when two were required. Only 1% of state residents contracting COVID-19 during this period were fully vaccinated.
In addition, 87% of those who were hospitalized for COVID-19 complications from Aug. 4-31 and 87% of those who died as a result of COVID-19 were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
As of Sept. 1, a total of 1,170,701 Mississippians — 37% of the population — had been fully vaccinated, while 44% had received at least one dose of a vaccine.
In Tallahatchie County, only 31% of residents have been fully vaccinated while 39% are partially vaccinated — figures that place the county on the bottom of the totem poll among area counties.
Area vaccination percentages, according to MSDH, are:
» Coahoma: 37% fully vaccinated, 45% partially vaccinated
» Grenada: 40% fully, 49% partially
» Lafayette: 46% fully, 52% partially
» Leflore: 48% fully, 58% partially
» Panola: 34% fully, 41% partially
» Quitman: 38% fully, 46% partially
» Sunflower, 41% fully, 49% partially
» Tallahatchie: 31% fully, 39% partially
» Yalobusha: 50% fully, 61% partially
Charleston Clinic administers the COVID-19 vaccine weekly on Wednesday. Call 662-647-8000 to make an appointment.
MSDH provides free vaccinations at county health departments and special community locations for anyone 12 years of age or older. (A parent or guardian must accompany minors to their vaccination.). Call the Mississippi COVID-19 hotline at 877-978-6453 for appointment assistance. No documentation or identification is required.
MSDH notes that anyone who is homebound and needs assistance getting a COVID-19 vaccination is asked to send an email to COVIDHomebound@msdh.ms.gov or call 877-978-6453.
To see the latest COVID-19 charts and statistics, which break down cases by age, race, gender, ethnicity, go here.
The following map features information that was charted by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, and released publicly by MSDH on Wednesday morning, Sept. 1:
