Nearly 300,000 Mississippians have been diagnosed with the coronavirus since the first case was confirmed in the state March 11, 2020. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says there has also been a great loss in human life. But one year later, he believes the state is moving in the right direction -- because of mask usage, social distancing and vaccinations. Byers says “We’re seeing our emergency department visits for individuals with COVID-like illness, those are on the decline. When we look at our overall hospitalizations for COVID-related illnesses, are on the way down. These are all promising indicators that we are moving in the right direction.”
Nearly half a million Mississippians have been vaccinated for COVID-19 since the first shot was administered in December.
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says this is progress but it doesn't mean the pandemic is over. “COVID is real, and we’re really winning. But just like in a baseball game, just if you’re up a run or two in the sixth or seventh inning, you don’t just lay down and let the other team just go at it on offense,” says Dr. Dobbs. “Continue to mask in public. Continue to avoid indoor social gatherings. And get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”
Dr. Dobbs says the state and country should have been more prepared to handle the pandemic. He says there needs to be a long-term investment in public health. “We will learn a lesson, throw a bunch of money at it, and forget it. After 9-11, and Flu, after Ebola. And so there’s always money to chase the problem that was behind us, not ahead of us. We have learned this lesson over and over again. If you can fund public health to the point where it can be forever ready, we’ll be in a lot better situation, there’s no doubt about it.”
The CDC has updated its guidance, and residents who have been vaccinated for the coronavirus can now meet with others who are vaccinated in small groups without masks.
