COVID-19 in Mississippi: 1,245 new cases, 51 new deaths reported Wednesday

Wilton Jackson
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

The Mississippi Department of Health reported 51 new coronavirus deaths and 1,245 new cases Wednesday, bringing the state total to 63,444 cases and 1,804 deaths.

Wednesday's 1,200-plus cases marks the second time this week of more than 1,000 cases. On Saturday, the department reported 1,134 confirmed cases.

The health department reporting 51 new deaths Wednesday is one shy of the highest single-day number of deaths. On Friday, MSDH reported 52 deaths in the state.

Reporting of COVID-19 hospitalizations, cases and deaths by age group and hospitalized cases by age were not updated Wednesday afternoon, according to the health department's website.

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Outbreaks at long-term care facilities, which care for the state's most vulnerable, have seen a steady increase.

There were a total 173 outbreaks at long-term care facilities reported on Wednesday.

Hinds County, with the largest population in the state, has the highest number of COVID-19 cases with 5,416 followed by DeSoto County with 3,472 confirmed cases. Madison County ranks third with 2,363 confirmed cases.

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As of Wednesday, 3,765 Mississippians in long-term care have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 789 have died.

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

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Gov. Tate Reeves ordered a statewide mask mandate Tuesday that requires every Mississippian to wear a mask at public gatherings and when shopping for the next two weeks. Reeves also ordered older students in eight counties to delay their return to the classroom as Mississippi's COVID-19 cases surge.

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His announcement came as coronavirus cases and deaths continue to surge and more than 1 in 5 COVID-19 tests in Mississippi are coming back positive.Reeves said all students and staff will be required to wear masks on campus.

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Jackson metro area cases, deaths

Hinds County

Daily number of new deaths: 2

Daily number of new cases: 87

Total deaths: 112

Total cases: 5,416

Madison County

Daily number of new deaths: 0

Daily number of new cases: 39

Total deaths: 60

Total cases: 2,363

Rankin County

Daily number of new deaths: 1

Daily number of new cases: 34

Total deaths: 31

Total cases: 2,202

An estimated 42,391 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.  

This story may update.

Contact Wilton Jackson at @wcjackson@gannett.com. Follow him on Facebook and @wiltonreports on Twitter.