Health officials are concerned about the surging numbers of coronavirus cases. Last week, the daily average continued to climb. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says there has been a shift in transmission. In the summer, two-thirds of COVID-19 cases and deaths were among black residents, but now those two-thirds are among white residents. "Granted there are a lot more white folks in Mississippi, but even now it's disproportionate in the white community compared to the population that they represent in the state," says Dr. Dobbs. "The black community was hit really hard, and I suspect there's a lot more concern because they've seen a lot of the bad outcomes more-so than other parts of Mississippi. So let's learn the lessons from the past and let's all just be careful."
9 counties with high coronavirus infection rates are currently under a mask mandate issued by the Governor. But Dr. Dobbs says if cases continue to increase over the coming weeks, another statewide mask mandate may be needed. He says since the statewide order was lifted in September, businesses and churches have complained that they can no longer enforce a mask policy. Dr. Dobbs says "I didn't realize how dependent businesses, churches and other organizations were leaning on the state mandate to enforce masking in their buildings. And I think that's the piece that's huge."
Coronavirus testing has been expanded in the state, but not as many Mississippians are seeking to be tested. Dr. Dobbs is encouraging residents to take advantage of the increased testing to help track and slow the spread of the virus.
