50% of Mississippians have been fully vaccinated for the coronavirus, and only around 30% of the population has gotten a booster dose according to health officials. Coronavirus transmission is beginning to decline in the state, however, State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says hospitalizations and deaths may not see that same decline for several weeks. And he says the data now shows that boosters are a crucial part in preventing those severe outcomes.
“The majority of those deaths are still occurring in people who are unvaccinated, or in people who may have been fully vaccinated but have not received the booster,” says Dr. Byers. “You know, that tells us the importance of the booster, especially for our vulnerable population.”
The omicron coronavirus variant has a decreased chance of causing severe outcomes among patients, but the volume of cases continues to overwhelm hospitals. Kim Hoover with the Mississippi Hospital Association says staffing shortages are exacerbating the strain on healthcare. She says in most years, around 60% of nurses in Mississippi work for hospitals, but now that number has been reduced to just 40%.
“With each surge that has occurred, Mississippi hospitals have lost more nurses. We are now to the point where there are hospital beds available, but they’re not staffed,” says Hoover. “Nurses, as much as anyone else, are asking people to please do everything that you can to protect yourselves and to protect your loved ones.”
Health officials say vaccines, staying home when sick, and wearing masks in public can help to reduce strain on the healthcare system.
