COVID-19 case numbers are back to August heights with Thursday’s report from the Mississippi State Department of Health.

MSDH reported 1,322 new cases as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, and 12 new deaths.

Lincoln County’s totals have risen to 1,302 cases and 54 deaths, an increase of 48 cases and one death over a two-day period.

Statewide, the number of positive coronavirus cases has now reached 108,139 (97,236 confirmed, 10,903 probable) and 3,152 deaths have been reported (2,864 confirmed and 288 probable).

The number of outbreaks in long-term care facilities remains at 128.

Earlier in the week, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said he was concerned about a potential rise in COVID-19 cases following the lifting of the statewide mask mandate.

“I do think we’re on the front end of something that could be bad,” he said.

Dobbs said it’s important for people to voluntarily do simple things to slow the spread of the virus — wearing masks, keeping social distance of at least 6 feet and avoiding large gatherings.

Dobbs said Mississippi’s case numbers were “starting to creep up” before health officials expected any impact from the lifting of the mask mandate. He said the lack of a mandate could add to the problem of increasing cases.

More than 94,160 people are presumed recovered from the virus as of Oct. 10.

 

Local testing sites

Testing is available in Brookhaven at King’s Daughters Medical Center. The COVID screening site is 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.

Traffic for this site should enter from Brookman Drive behind the hospital. This screening is for individuals 12 years of age and up. Call 601-835-9455 to make an appointment.

Testing is also available for those without insurance, on Mondays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. outside the Lincoln County Health Department, 1212 Northpark Lane NE, Brookhaven. The Mississippi National Guard is in charge of performing these tests. Interested persons should call 601-496-7200 before arriving.

To find more testing facilities in the state, visit HealthyMS.com and click on “Getting Tested” in the blue menu on the left.