The number of reported COVID-19 cases has dropped statewide despite students returning to school.

For Lincoln County, 995 new cases were reported by the Mississippi State Department of Health Friday. This is an increase of 21 cases since last reported Tuesday. There were 52 deaths, one more since last reported.

Lincoln County has had 133 long-term care facility outbreaks. An outbreak is considered any confirmed COVID-19 case among LTC residents, or more than one case in a 14-day period among staff or employees of a facility. There were 31 long-term care facility deaths.

MSDH reported 823 new cases statewide, with 23 new deaths. Bolivar, Forrest, Jones, Lauderdale, Leflore, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Tippah, Tunica and Warren counties all had one new death.

Hinds, Lamar and Panola counties each had two new deaths. Rankin County had three new deaths.

As of Friday, there were 154 long-term care facility outbreaks, with 1,060 long-term care facility deaths.

The total number of cases for the state currently sits at 85,116, with 2,536 total deaths. A total of 67,918 are presumed recovered.

Hospitalizations have dropped for COVID-19 patients. As of Friday, 623 patients were hospitalized with the coronavirus, with 178 of those in intensive care and 115 on ventilators.

Testing is still being conducted, and 641,625 have been conducted statewide, with 582,297 for detecting positive cases of the virus, 27,057 for detecting antibodies and 32,271 for detecting antigens.

Local testing is available at King’s Daughters Medical Center. The COVID-19 screening site is located behind the Emergency Room and will be open to the public 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This screening is for individuals 12 years and up. Call 601-835-9455 to make an appointment.