Mississippi reported more than 1,200 new COVID-19 coronavirus cases Saturday as the state averages are at a nearly two-month high.

Over the past 14 days, 10,450 cases were detected in the state, an increase of approximately 48 percent from a month ago. The last two weeks have seen the highest number of new coronavirus cases in the state since August 31.

“We can’t wish COVID away – but we can prevent it with very simple strategies,” Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs wrote Friday on social media.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 1,212 new cases on Saturday, bringing the total cases since the pandemic began in March to 115,088. Of those cases, the state believes approximately 97,675 have recovered.

The state reported 17 new deaths Saturday, all of which occurred between September 22 and October 23. A total of 3,255 people have died from the virus, the state reported.

The 7-day, daily average of new cases increased to 726 with Saturday’s update.

The 14-day, daily average dipped to 746 cases per day. It was the highest 14-day average since the end of August.