Deaths up 14 in week as cases on the rise

Madison County recorded more COVID-19 deaths this past week than any other week since the outbreak began last Spring. 

A total of 14 new deaths were reported here since last Wednesday, bringing the total to 146.

Meanwhile, after a one-week downward trend, COVID-19 cases in Madison County are once again on the rise with nearly 500 new cases reported in the last week.

Approximately 30 percent of the county’s total cases were reported last month. 

The total number of cases in Madison County now stands at 7,551. Only Rankin, Jackson, DeSoto, Hinds and Harrison counties have reported more cases than Madison.

Students reported back to school this week after a two-week holiday break so next week the Mississippi State Department of Health will have updated case numbers. 

Prior to the break, three high schools in the Madison County School District had moved to virtual only after outbreaks associated with off-campus social gatherings spread.

Madison County remains under a mandatory mask ordinance issued by Gov. Tate Reeves until Jan. 15, 2021.

On Wednesday, the MSDH identified 2,791 new cases of COVID-19 across the state with 38 new deaths.

COVID-19 hospitalizations across the state have risen from 669 on Nov. 10 to 1,369 on Monday. Patients in the ICU are also nearing an all-time high at 337, as the number on ventilators also continues to rise. 

In total, 228,235 cases have been reported across the state with 5,013 deaths. 

Of the deaths, 3,836 were reported in individuals 65 years or older. The next highest age bracket, 50-64 years old, has reported 878 deaths. There have been 185 deaths among those aged 40-49, 94 deaths among those aged 25-39, 12 deaths among those aged 18-24, one death among those aged 5-17, and one death aged 0-4.