Mississippi Staring Down Possible Surge In COVID-19 Cases

According to Mississippi State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers, the state could be in for another surge of COVID-19 cases. "We are starting to see some increased number of cases that are currently in the hospital with confirmed COVID," noted Byers in a Facebook discussion. "We’re seeing increased new admissions into the hospital setting. All indicators right now are pointing to the fact that I think we’re on the horizon of having another big upswing. I sure would like to be proved wrong." On Oct. 9, more than 800 new cases were reported in Mississippi. This marks an unusually high uptick in the number of cases in weeks' past. Byers claims that this is, in part, due to colleges. However, he attributes the week's steady rise in cases to other settings as well. Those who aren't properly social distancing and wearing masks are contributing to higher numbers, especially when it comes to gatherings in public. Even though Americans suffer from more than one billion colds each year, the COVID-19 virus is particularly threatening. Many people have to be hospitalized to cope with the illness's symptoms. So far, there is no connection between the elimination of the state's mask mandate. However, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves still hopes that Americans will wear their masks despite the expiration of the mandate. As of Monday, Oct. 12, the state reported 296 new cases. While there were no COVID-related deaths on Monday and this number is far lower than the rates reported last week, the rising number is still a major concern. So far, the state has experienced more than 105,228 positive cases of COVID-19 and an estimated 3,101 people have died because of COVID-19-related causes. Here are some tips to stay safe from COVID-19 when you're out in public:

• Avoid crowded places, like small restaurants and bars. America's favorite meal might be breakfast food, but going to a less-populated shop will reduce your risk of catching COVID-19.
• Bring that hand sanitizer. The COVID-19 virus can stay on surfaces. If someone coughs on a table and you happen to touch it and then your face, you could catch the virus. Bring hand sanitizer to clean your hands regularly when you're outdoors.
• Prioritize visiting open spaces or well-ventilated places. Gas lines, gas appliances, and HVAC technicians need advanced training for a reason. Areas with good airflow are less likely to transmit the COVID-19 virus. If you want to gather with friends, do so outside or in large indoor spaces with the proper HVAC systems and vents in place.

Staying indoors is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe. As the number of cases in Mississippi continues to rise, it's more important than ever to practice good hygiene and social distancing protocols.