Nearly 450,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed across Mississippi so far, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Of the 449,300 doses distributed, 184,398 had been administered as of Monday afternoon.

Due to high demand for first and second dose vaccinations, available appointments may be limited, but new openings are added weekly. Supplies and vaccination sites are expected to increase by February.

Second dose appointments can be made on or after 21 days (Pfizer vaccine) or 28 days (Moderna vaccine) from the first vaccination.

Adults ages 65 and older — as well as those age 18-64 with certain chronic health conditions — are eligible for vaccination at MSDH drive-through sites. Healthcare personnel are also eligible to receive the vaccine. Qualifying chronic health conditions include, but are not limited to, cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart conditions and pregnancy. Anyone unsure if they qualify should contact his or her doctor.

 

New numbers

Five new deaths and 927 new cases have been reported by MSDH as of 6 p.m. Sunday. The state has recorded 265,146 cases and 5,777 deaths. Lincoln County has reported 88 deaths and 3,076 cases of the virus.

The state presumes 222,812 persons have recovered from the virus as of Sunday. A person is presumed recovered if it has been 14 days or more since the case tested positive and the person was not hospitalized, or if it has been at least 21 days since the positive test and the person was hospitalized, or hospitalization is unknown.

 

Testing

COVID testing is still available in Brookhaven at King’s Daughters Medical Center and the Lincoln County Health Department.

The KDMC 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. 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. 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.”