The latest statistics have now pushed December to the second-worst month for new COVID-19 coronavirus cases, in Mississippi with 15 more days left in the month.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 2,343 new cases on Wednesday. The latest numbers bring the total cases since the pandemic began in March to 185,643.

More than 32,000 new cases have been confirmed in December. With only half of December elapsed, the month already has eclipsed every month of the pandemic except November, which reported 33,111 cases.

Here’s a monthly new case breakdown:

Month	New cases
June	11,746
July	31,496
August	24,203
September	15,240
October	21,970
November	33,111
December (month to date)	32,373

Of the total cases, the state believes approximately 148,466 have recovered and while many people who are infected with the virus may only have moderate or even no visible symptoms, others can get gravely ill and can die as a result.

Through Monday’s statistics, the state reported 1,238 confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized with another 81 suspected, but not confirmed by test yet COVID patients also hospitalized.

The state reported 42 new deaths Wednesday. A total of 4,294 Mississippians have died from the virus, the state reported.

The average number of deaths reported per day during December is currently averaging 30.4, for a total of 487 so far during the month, making December already the fourth deadliest month on record. The deadliest month on record was August when the state reported 813 deaths.

If December’s pace of new cases and deaths continues evenly through the remainder of the month, the state may see as many as 60,000 cases or more, nearly double any prior month, and as many as 900 deaths.

The 7-day, daily average of new cases dipped to 2,139 with Wednesday’s update.

The 14-day, daily average of new cases dipped to 2,055 on Wednesday, just below the record set Tuesday.