COVID-19 climbs by 12 cases in past week

Franklin County’s coronavirus case totals rose by 12 during the course of the past week, according to data collected by the Mississippi Department of Health.

The cumulative number of cases reported in the county since March, 2020 was 1,234 as of Tuesday, Nov. 16.

In addition, the number of local deaths related to the illness rose by one for the first time in 10 weeks — bringing the number of fatalities tied to the outbreak of the virus to 29.

Mississippi has seen a cumulative total of 509,275 cases of COVID-19 since the health agency began reporting the numbers almost two years ago.

In addition, a total of 10,203 Magnolia State residents have died due to complications related to the illness.

Franklin County’s vaccination rates stayed pretty much the same since last week, with an estimated 43 percent of the county’s population — a total of 3,340 people — considered to be fully vaccinated.

About 48 percent — 3,675 residents — have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Statewide, 44 percent of all residents are presently considered fully inoculated while 49 percent have received at least one treatment dose.

Nationally, 58 percent of the population has been vaccinated against coronavirus.

In other coronavirus-related news, Gov. Tate Reeves issued a statement last week indicating he plans to end the COVID-19 state of emergency on Saturday, Nov. 20.

“With more than 3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine having been administered in Mississippi and with COVID-19 infections and resulting hospitalizations being effectively managed, it’s time to end the state of emergency,” Reeves said.

The declaration, which enabled state agencies to address the public health emergency, was originally put into place on March 14, 2020.