Mississippi confirmed its first case of COVID-19 one year ago – March 11, 2020. In that time the virus has infected 299,124 people across the state and killed 6,864.
COVID-19 has killed more Mississippians than diabetes, Alzheimer’s, chronic liver disease, influenza, accidents, suicide, and homicide killed — combined — in 2019.
In January, Mississippi set new single-day records for new COVID-19 cases and deaths and a monthly record of 1,240 deaths. This spike was caused by holiday travel and gatherings.
However, change is taking shape. COVID-19 cases, deaths, and COVID-related hospital admissions in Mississippi have been trending downward since the January spike.
The caseload for the first week of March was more than 83% lower than the January peak, and nearly 75% lower for hospitalizations.
“We’re not done with the COVID pandemic. COVID is real. And we’re really winning,” State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said during a Monday press conference.
MSDH officials acknowledge that any gains Mississippi has attained in combating the virus is based on how the public behaves. Spring break and the increased COVID vaccines being administered may influence a relaxed level of personal protective actions in the general public causing spike yet again.
January’s peak was attributed to holiday travel and gatherings, and the upcoming Spring Break and Gov. Tate Reeves’ removal of all state-imposed mask mandates and most COVID-related restrictions on business operations could cause another such spike.
Dr. Dobbs has warned people against responding to decreasing infection numbers by abandoning the preventative measures that limit virus spread.
MAP: Where Mississippians can get the COVID-19 vaccine
Mississippi joined most other states in halting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding which groups to include in phases of the vaccine rollout following healthcare workers and residents of long-term-care facilities.
Last week, Mississippi also became the first state to open up vaccine eligibility to people ages 50 and up.
Addressing the racial inequities of the state’s immunization efforts has been especially difficult.
Access challenges combined with a trust problem for many Black Mississippians are a result of racism and abuse Black people have been subjugated to by U.S. governments and healthcare systems.
While accounting for 38% of the state’s population, Black Mississippians were accounting for only 15% of the vaccines given in the state early in the distribution effort. That share has grown to 26%, and the gap is closing.
Dobbs credited this improvement to the work of Black community leaders in churches and healthcare settings, who continue advocating for vaccination.
“I’m proud of Mississippi. I’m proud of what we’re doing,” Dobbs said. “Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator, pushing COVID down so that we can get back to full normal before too long.”
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