The number of COVID-19 cases, both in Lincoln County and Mississippi as a whole, continues to increase.
Gov. Tate Reeves and state health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs continue to stress taking precautions such as wearing a mask.
“It doesn’t matter what county you’re in — we recommend strongly that everyone wear a mask when they’re in public and that everyone wear a mask anytime they’re in 6 feet of anyone else,” Reeves said Thursday.
As of Friday, Lincoln County had 570 positive COVID-19 cases. This is an increase of 29 since last reported Tuesday. There were 36 deaths, with no new deaths to report.
There are 115 outbreaks in long-term care facilities in Lincoln County. Outbreaks occur when either at least one resident or employee has tested positive for the virus. The number of deaths is 27 here, and has not changed since Tuesday.
Statewide, there are 40,829 positive COVID-19 cases. There are 1,332 deaths, with 24 new deaths as of Friday.
There was one death each in Grenada, Harrison, Lamar, Madison, Neshoba, Noxubee, Pike, Rankin, Scott and Sunflower counties. Monroe and Tate counties had two deaths each and Hinds County had three deaths.
Across Mississippi there are 140 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, with 642 deaths in those facilities.
The Mississippi Department of Health presumes that 25,932 people have recovered from the virus.
385,377 tests have been conducted as of Friday, with 370,993 of those being COVID-19 tests and 14,384 being antibody tests.
According to the MSDH, Thursday had a record single day increase in new COVID-19 cases with numbers reaching more than 1,000 than the day before. It was the fourth time the state had a day-to-day increase of more than 1,000 cases. This was the first time the numbers had topped 1,200.
In Mississippi, there are 853 patients with confirmed infection hospitalized, with 253 of those in intensive care and 129 on ventilators.
The coronavirus is a respiratory disease believed to be transmitted by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Testing is currently available in Brookhaven. King’s Daughters Medical Center has a COVID-19 testing center located behind the Emergency Room and will be open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
This screening is for individuals 12 years of age and up. To set up an appointment, call 601-835-9455. Traffic for this site should enter from Brookman Drive behind the hospital.