COVID cases not slowing down

New COVID-19 cases in Neshoba County have spiked over 115 percent in the last week as the state continues to see record hospitalizations. 

Neshoba County has seen a 10-percent increase in deaths over two weeks.

Gov. Reeves on Wednesday limited sporting activities and gatherings.

Neshoba County cases now total 2,434 — an increase of 185 since last Tuesday. Two weeks ago, the weekly increase was only 85 new cases.

State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs warns that a surge associated with Thanksgiving is growing more quickly than a summer surge the state experienced. 

“The Thanksgiving surge has arrived,” Dobbs said on Sunday.

He continues to plead with the public to wear masks and avoid non-essential gatherings, saying those two steps alone will save lives.

Neshoba County has reported an additional four deaths over last week attributed to the virus bringing the total here to 125. That represents a 10 percent increase in deaths in two weeks.

The Mississippi State Department of Health, as of Tuesday afternoon, had not updated their report detailing school infections. The latest report, released on Dec. 1, said school reporting was impacted by the Thanksgiving holiday break.

On the Dec. 1 report, neither Neshoba schools or Philadelphia schools had reported new cases. 

At last count, Neshoba Central Elementary was reporting 20 positive cases among students and 13 among teachers and staff. 

Neshoba Central Middle School had reported 16 cases amongst students and Neshoba Central High School reported 31 similar cases. 

There are less than 10 teachers and staff who have confirmed positive between those two schools. 

Philadelphia Elementary and Philadelphia High School both had reported no increase in cases in the last two weeks, with PHS reporting 18 cases among students and the elementary school with 1-5 cases.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has reported a total of 1,354 positive cases among Tribal members.

The Tribe saw an increase of 18 positive cases within the last week.

The Tribe has tested 7,825 members, with 6,370 negative results. Of the positive cases, 1,258 have recovered, 88 have died and four remain hospitalized. 

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