Covid vaccine distributed here
The COVID-19 vaccine began being available at the Neshoba County Coliseum on Monday and Tuesday and continues Thursday and Friday, but registration is required.
Separately, Neshoba General announced plans Thursday to administer 500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Saturday and next week.
At the Coliseum, the state of Mississippi is currently giving COVID19 immunizations for the following:
• All healthcare workers and EMT/paramedics
• 65+ and preexisting conditions
Sign up online or call 1-877-978-6453.
When you arrive for a testing appointment, expect vaccination and related paperwork to take about 10 minutes. They also have a 15-minute observation period after vaccination.
“We encourage everyone to take this vaccine, when available for your age group or work status,” Neshoba General hospital officials said on its Facebook page over the weekend.
The vaccine is not available at Neshoba General, officials said.
Five new deaths attributed to COVID-19 were reported within the last week as Neshoba County also added another 163 positive cases.
The weekly increase mirrors previous weeks as both cases and deaths continue on the rise here.
Currently, all healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents have priority to receive the vaccine. In mid-January, that will expand to people ages 75 and up, first responders, K-12/college teachers and staff, daycare workers, corrections officers, and workers in congregate settings.
In line in February will be food/agriculture workers, U.S. Postal Service employees, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, people ages 65 and up, or people with high-risk medical conditions.
The current final phase includes people 16 years and older in congregate settings and correctional facilities as well as other essential workers.
The total number of cases in Neshoba County now stands at 3,250. There have been 149 reported deaths.
New cases continue to increase among Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians tribal members, too, with another 88 reported in the last week.
In total, 1,638 Tribal members have tested positive for COVID-19. The Tribe has reported 93 deaths from the virus, with six current hospitalizations.
The Tribe said on Thursday that outdoor activities are considered safe because people are able to social distance. However, while on Tribal lands, there should not be any more than 10 people. "Keep you and your family safe by wearing your masks, social distancing and staying home," officials said in a Facebook post.
No new school data had been released by the Mississippi State Department of Health as of mid-day Tuesday.
Neshoba County is among over half the counties in the state under a mandatory mask ordinance by Gov. Tate Reeves that remains in effect until Jan. 15, 2021.