27 new COVID cases here
Compiled By Steve Swogetinsky
The Kemper Messenger
The number of cases of COVID-19 in Kemper County has increased by 27 this past week, according to statistics provided by the Mississippi Department of Health website.
Kemper County has 772 reported cases as of Monday, an increase of 70. The county has 20 reported deaths, an increase of one since last week.
Vaccinations are in high demand, and appointments may not be available in in all areas. Appointments for second doses should be available.
Vaccine supplies and vaccinations sites are expected to increase by February.
Mississippians 65 and over and those with certain chronic health conditions are now eligible for vaccination.
Many local hospitals and private health clinics can now provide COVID-19 vaccinations to adults 75 years of age or older. Contact a provider directly to arrange for vaccination. According to the Health Department, the John C, Stennis Hospital is the local provider for Kemper County.
Eligible individuals 16 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine, and those 18 and over can receive the Moderna vaccine.
Pregnant women, lactating women and those who are immunocompromised may take the vaccine; however, consultation with your healthcare provider is recommended.
The number of new cases has continued to grow across the state. According to health department numbers, there were 11,975 new cases in Mississippi in the past week. There have been 253,932 cases reported in Mississippi since March and 5,524 reported deaths, an increase of 240 since last week.
If you are feeling unwell, you are urged to go and get tested. A site is set up in DeKalb at the old health department on Monday and Wednesday.
MSDH urgently recommends that all residents of Mississippi avoid any social gathering that includes individuals outside of the immediate family or household. MSDH recommends that Mississippians only participate in work, school or other absolutely essential activities, and avoid gatherings such as social events, sporting events, in-person church services, and weddings and funerals unless they involve only close family (preferably outdoors).
Gov. Tate Reeves in an executive order has included Kemper County on the list of counties with special restricts. Residents are limited to 10 people indoors, and 50 outdoors in situations where social distancing is not possible. Masks must be worn indoors in public places when a distance of six feet cannot be maintained between groups from different households.
A county-wide mandate has been reissued by the Kemper County board of supervisors requiring that masks be worn in public. It goes through January 4. Anyone who violates the ordinance, upon conviction, could face a $500 fine and/or six months in jail.
The ordinance also closes county owned parks, walking trails and access to Kemper Lake.
Offices in the Courthouse will be operated with minimum staff and elected officials are encouraged to do as much business online as possible.