There are more than 100 coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long term care settings across the state. Yesterday, the Mississippi Department of Health reported a total of 3,000 cases among residents and a little over 600 total deaths.
"We're seeing more and more infections and outbreaks in long term care facilities," said State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
"Again, it's not a surprise. Right?"
"I mean, it reflects what happens in the community," he said. "The people who work in long term care settings nursing homes are the same people who live in communities where the coronavirus is being transmitted."
In an effort to help slow transmission of the virus, long term care facilities are prohibiting visitation from families and outside vendors. The only people coming in and out of the facility is mainly staff.
Boswell Regional Center in Simpson County is reporting the highest number of cases among residents and staff with 110 cases. And reporting the most deaths is the Care Center of Laurel in Jones County with 14 residents dying.
Tony Hamrick, President of the Mississippi Healthcare Association, is also the administrator of Columbia Rehab and Healthcare. He says they're fortunate. The facility in Columbia has no current outbreak.
"Of course we got all the protocols in place where they're screened, temperatures are checked, (and) they're educated to report to us if there are any changes in their feeling or their health during the day," said Hamrick.
"We send them home to be tested and we have to have a test result before they come back to work. So, we're proactive in every area but you're only as strong as your weakest link."
Hamrick says it's going to take a community effort to the slow spread of coronavirus inside these facilities and prevent more deaths.
