Coronavirus in Mississippi: 703 new cases reported in a single day, state hits hospitalization record

Sarah Fowler
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Mississippi reported 703 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 16 new deaths Thursday, according to the Mississippi Department of Health. The state also hit another record high on Mississippians hospitalized with the virus. 

To date, the state has 33,591 confirmed cases and 1,204 coronavirus deaths. 

According to MSDH data, 686 Mississippians are hospitalized across the state with confirmed coronavirus infections, up from the previous high of 658. 

The state experienced a surge in cases recently, with 1,092 cases recorded not yet two weeks ago, the highest one-day total during the pandemic. Thursday, State Department of Health Officer Dr. Thomas said ICUs in five Mississippi hospitals are full. 

As of Thursday, there were 110 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. To date, 2,882 Mississippians in those facilities have been diagnosed with coronavirus with 580 deaths.

The highest concentration of cases has been in the Jackson metro area and in North Mississippi, near Memphis.

Hinds County, with the largest population in the state, has the highest number of cases with 2,697 followed by Desoto County with 1,818 confirmed cases. Madison County ranks third with 1,382 confirmed cases. 

Mississippians in the 60-69 age bracket make up the largest number of hospitalizations with 769. Those in the 70-79 age bracket make up the largest number of deaths with 320 as of Thursday.

What grim reality looks like:Caring for COVID-19 patients at Mississippi hospital:

By far, those in the 18 to 29 age group have the highest number of confirmed cases in the state, with 7,009. Seven people in that age bracket have died of the virus.

The number of cases in children under the age of 18 continues to rise, with 3,103 confirmed cases, and 41 Mississippi children are currently hospitalized due to the virus. The under 18 age bracket is the only group that has not had a coronavirus death. 

Around the state:Find pop-up mobile test locations for coronavirus in Mississippi

Coronavirus in Mississippi:Virus now responsible for over 1,000 deaths in state

Jackson metro area cases, deaths

Hinds County

Daily number of new deaths: 2

Daily number of new cases: 55

Total deaths: 48

Total cases:  2,697

Madison County

Daily number of new deaths: 0

Daily number of new cases: 27

Total deaths: 36

Total cases: 1,382

Rankin County

Daily number of new deaths: 0

Daily number of new cases: 36

Total deaths: 15

Total cases: 1,035

An estimated 22,167 people are presumed recovered from COVID-19, the Health Department said. A person is presumed recovered if it's been 14 days since he or she tested positive and was not hospitalized or 21 days if hospitalization was involved. The estimated number of recoveries is updated weekly. 

Dobbs has repeatedly urged Mississippians to wear masks as coronavirus numbers continue to climb. Dobbs has said the recent surge is just the beginning if residents don't wear masks and practice social distancing.

"If we're not careful, Mississippi will look like New York," Dobbs said. 

'Terrified':As coronavirus cases surge in Mississippi, doctors provide dire perspective

Coronavirus in Mississippi:Record 1,092 new coronavirus cases reported in Mississippi

He stressed that Mississippians, and particularly younger residents ages 18 to 29, need to follow Gov. Tate Reeves' executive orders to maintain social distancing requirements. 

Dobbs said positive cases of the virus have surged in recent weeks in that demographic, up to five times what has been previously recorded. Most will recover from the virus, but run the risk of exposing other older age groups who are more vulnerable.   

Mississippi reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus March 11. One week later, the state reported its first coronavirus death on March 19.

Do you want to stay informed on more topics like this one?  Subscribe to the digital Clarion Ledger . 

Contact Sarah Fowler at 601-961-7303 or sfowler@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.