Coronavirus infection rates are rising throughout Mississippi, and fewer than half of the state’s population is vaccinated according to the Department of Health. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says Hospitals are caring for an increasing number of patients with COVID-19, but those facilities are prepared to take on any extra patients with coronavirus infections. He says vaccines and antibody treatments could help prevent a post-holiday surge.
“There’s lots of opportunities, it’s not just Christmas day that you know. All throughout the month of December, people are getting together. That’s what people do and that’s what we have a tendency when those groups come together to see more cases,” says Dr. Byers. “I think that we certainly expect to see that in the coming few weeks.”
The delta variant is the most predominant strain in the state and has infected thousands since July. While most who have recovered from the illness may have some level of natural immunity, Dr. Byers says getting vaccinated is the most effective way at preventing other emerging variants. Since the state first identified the new omicron variant, he says there has been ongoing surveillance and research to understand how it could affect Mississippians.
“And it’s likely that we already do have some other cases in Mississippi that have not yet been recognized. And so we’re going to continue our surveillance, we’re going to watch very closely to see if we identify those cases, certainly to investigate them quickly to try and limit transmission,” says Dr. Byers. “But we do anticipate that we will see some additional cases in the state.”
Experts say it is important for unvaccinated Mississippians to get the vaccine, and those who qualify should get a booster dose to increase their protection.
