‘Things are getting worse very quickly,’ Mississippi health officer says
Published 8:04 am Friday, July 3, 2020
Mississippi’s top state health officer urged Mississippians Thursday to use common sense and follow state guidelines over the Fourth of July weekend, saying “Things are getting worse very quickly.”
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs made the dire warning on social media as he posted a graphic showing the rapidly rising hospitalizations in Mississippi.
Mississippi reported a record high of patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus or suspected COVID-19.
Please be safe July 4 weekend! Recommend celebrating with household members ONLY! Please avoid parties, gatherings. Things are getting worse very quickly. pic.twitter.com/gWIG4SRfnR
— thomas dobbs (@TCBPubHealth) July 2, 2020
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported Thursday an additional 870 new cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours bringing the total cases to 28,770. The state estimates more than 19,000 of those cases have fully recovered.
But state statistics also showed a sharp rise in patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases. More than 75 new patients were hospitalized, in the last 24 hours, the state reported.
In total 863 people were in Mississippi hospitals yesterday, the state reported. The previous record was set the day prior.
WLBT-TV in Jackson reported that four of UMC’s 20-bed ICUs are at full capacity and that patients in some areas of the state are being moved around to facilities that still have capacity.
“We’re concerned with the numbers,” said St. Dominic’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric McVey, told WLBT-TV. “We are communicating among ourselves. We’re all determined to walk and chew gum at the same time… taking care of COVID patients, performing the needed services that the community needs for general health and preservation of that health.”
