Daily coronavirus cases are on the rise, the highest in six months, in fact, while vaccination rates in Mississsippi remain the lowest in the nation. As a result, the Mississippi State Department of Health is issuing new advisories for those most susceptible: Get vaccinated or wear a mask.
The increase in the number of cases is translating into more COVID-19 patients at local hospitals.
The new COVID-19 cases are the top headline in today’s A to Z report, which also includes news about indoor and outdoor construction at Edgewater Mall, a clean-up this weekend in East Biloxi, a preview of what to expect this school year, and the issues du jour from City Hall.
Regarding COVID-19, national statistics show that Mississippi has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, with roughly two-thirds of the population unvaccinated; in Harrison County, 70 percent of residents are unvaccinated, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Health officials attribute the current surge to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus and the low vaccination rate. The overwhelming majority of new cases, authorities say, involve unvaccinated individuals.
Because of the resurgence of cases, the highest seen since January, the state health department recommends that all Mississippians age 12 and older receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Those unvaccinated should wear a mask when indoors in public settings, and those ages 65 and older as well as those with chronic underlaying medical conditions should avoid all indoor mass gatherings regardless of vaccination status. These recommendations are advised through the weekend.
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COVID-19: By the numbers
Community calendar
News & Notes: City Council, traffic
Biloxi City Council: The next scheduled meeting of the Biloxi City Council will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall. To see the agenda and supporting documents, click here. To see a replay of council meetings, click here.
Traffic: See the latest on road work and traffic throughout the city in Traffic Update, published online each day by the city’s Engineering Department. To see the update, along with links to MDOT traffic cameras and Gulf Regional Planning Commission traffic counts, click here.
