COVID-19 cases rising in Neshoba County

At least 21 of the confirmed 37 positive cases of COVID-19 in the Neshoba County School District are from high school students, the latest report dated Oct. 2 from the Mississippi State Department of Health said. 

Another 37 high school students were quarantined the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 2.

Other schools in the NCSD are not listed on the report. Philadelphia High School lists 16 positive cases and Philadelphia Elementary has 1-5 positive cases, with no quarantines.

Cases in Neshoba County are on the rise over the past couple of weeks.

There have been over 100 new cases in the past week, double the number of new cases each week for the last two weeks, bringing the total here to 1,754 as testing has increased.

As of Tuesday, the state reported 109 COVID-related deaths in Neshoba County, up three from last week. There have been 130 cases in long-term care facilities in Neshoba County and 38 deaths.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has reported a total of 1,169 positive cases among Tribal members, with nearly half of those coming from the Pearl River community.

The Tribe saw an increase of 22 positive cases within the last week. The Tribe has tested 5,808 members, with 4,512 negative results. Of the positive cases, 1,062 have recovered, 82 have died and seven remain hospitalized.