Coronavirus case count grows by 11 as of Tuesday, Dec. 28

Franklin County saw a rise of 11 coronavirus infections during the past week, with the cumulative number of cases in the county reported to be 1,294 as of Tuesday, Dec. 28, according to the Mississippi Department of Health.

In addition, another death has been attributed to the illness in the county, bringing the number of coronavirus-related fatalities recorded since March, 2020 to 32.

The state health agency notes some 532,560 residents in all 82 counties have tested positive for the illness since the beginning of the pandemic.

Of that number, 10,398 have died.

With the rise of the Omicron variation of COVID-19, health officials are urging Mississippians to take precautionary measures to address the virus.

State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs — via Twitter — asked residents to get their booster vaccinations, wear a mask indoors, stay at home if sick and limit indoor gatherings to small groups or have gatherings outdoors, if possible.

“Since the first (case of) Omicron was identified in Mississippi, it has accounted for a growing proportion of the samples sequenced each week,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said of the variant.

“We expect that this will continue to spread rapidly in the coming days to weeks.”

Vaccination rates continue to rise locally and statewide.

The health department reports 3,838 — or 50 percent — of Franklin Countians have received at least one dose of the shot while 3,489 (45 percent) are considered to be fully vaccinated.

About 1,552,558 (51 percent) of Mississippians have received at least one dose of the vaccination and 1,389,683 (44 percent) are now considered fully vaccinated.

Franklin County Memorial Hospital is administering COVID-19 shots and boosters on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 601-384-8264.