Masks mandated at schools as cases rise 10% in Neshoba
The city and county schools have imposed mask mandates as COVID-19 cases countywide have risen nearly 10 percent this week, the latest figures released today show.
A COVID-19 testing line at Neshoba General was inundated this week, officials said, as Neshoba County’s caseload rose by 451 including one new death.
Neshoba County’s total positive COVID-19 cases now stand at 4,938, up from 4,487 last week and the county’s death toll is now 182 deaths, up from 181 since the pandemic began in March 2020, according to the state Department of Health.
“After consultation with medical personnel and careful consideration, the NCSD will require masks of all students and staff until August 20,” the Neshoba County School District wrote in a Facebook post late Sunday.
"Leading up to August 20, we will reevaluate the situation and decide if we can go mask optional again or not. Currently, the county has a 42% positivity rate.
“All visitors will be required to wear a mask when entering the schools.
“We know this may not be a popular decision but please be patient as we work through this situation.”
The Philadelphia Public School District said Tuesday they have a mask mandate. Choctaw Tribal schools have a mask mandate on buses and in facilities.
State and national leaders have attributed the rise in COVID-19 case numbers nationwide to the Delta variant of the disease and numbers throughout the state and nation have risen in recent weeks.
Last week, Neshoba General instituted drive-thru testing and due to an overwhelming response asked people who had been tested not to call for results that can take up to four hours.
“Give our team 3-4 hours and they will contact you ASAP with the results,” a Facebook post said Monday. ‘We apologize for any inconvenience, but we are working as fast and hard as we can for our community!”
The post went on to say, “Please pray for our staff, as we continue to advance the health of the community we serve by providing value-centered, excellent care!!!!”
Pre-register for a COVID screening by calling (601) 663-1221. Check Neshoba General's Facebook page for times.
Please have your insurance information available, when you call, officials said.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has reported 39 new positive cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths in the past week as of Aug. 8, with the total number of positive cases for the Tribe standing at 2,043 with 114 deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020. Six new hospitalizations have been reported.
As of Tuesday, 22% of Neshoba County’s population is fully vaccinated, according to MSDH, and 26% of the county’s population had received one of the 13,641 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in the county.
Vaccinations are being administered at Walgreens at 1002 W. Beacon Street and Walmart at 1005 W. Beacon Street, according to MSDH. Find COVID vaccine availability near you.
Statewide, since the pandemic began in March 2020, 223,063 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been recorded by the MSDH along with 145,486 probable cases, totaling 368,549 cases. There have been 5,308 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, along with 2,377 probable deaths, totaling 7,685 deaths.
Neshoba has the lowest vaccination rate in the state.
A New York Times tracker showed Tuesday cases have increased recently and are extremely high in Neshoba County. The total reported for the past week was the highest of the pandemic. The number of hospitalized COVID patients has also risen in the Neshoba County area, the Times reported. Deaths have remained at about the same level. The test positivity rate in Neshoba County is high, suggesting that cases may be undercounted, the Times said.