Webster County has now reached over 900 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March. In addition, the county has recorded one additional coronavirus-related death over the past seven days.
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 924 cases and 24 deaths in the county as of 6 p.m. Sunday. The number of new cases is up 49 and the number of new deaths is up one since last week. MSHD said the latest death was reported as of 6 p.m. Jan. 13 and occurred between Jan. 8-13. The agency identified the race of the victim as white.
MSHD listed Webster among the state's 10 high-incidence counties from Dec. 28-Jan. 10. With a 23% increase during that two-week period, the county was ranked third highest in the state for cases per 100,000 population.
MSDH data shows the number of long-term care facility active outbreaks in Webster remains at two and the number of total LTCF cases to date among residents remains at 58.
Gov. Tate Reeves has extended the mask mandate for the county, which was to have ended Friday, until 5 p.m. Feb. 3.
Local Hospital Bed Availability
COVID-19 Hospital Beds Availability as of Jan. 17
Webster Health Services, Eupora
Total Staffed Beds: 38
Total Confirmed COVID Patients: 2
Available Staffed Beds: 24
MSDH Aggregate School COVID-19 Report as of Jan. 12
Only categories with at least one COVID-19 case/quarantine/outbreak listed.
East Webster Elementary School
• Total positive teachers/staff since start of school: 1-5
• Total positive students since start of school: 6
East Webster High School
• Total positive teachers/staff since start of school: 1-5
• Total positive students since start of school: 10
• Total outbreaks since start of school: 1
Eupora Elementary School
• Total positive teachers/staff since start of school: 1-5
• Total positive students since start of school: 1-5
Eupora High School
• Total positive teachers/staff since start of school: 1-5
• Total positive students since start of school: 6
Additional vaccine appointments announced
Monday, Gov. Tate Reeves announced additional COVID-19 vaccine measures in an effort to keep Mississippians safe and help individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Twenty thousand new appointments — loaded into the system Monday — are for first doses and can be booked at covidvaccine.umc.edu or by calling 877-978-6453.
The website has also been expanded to be able to help 6,000 individuals per second get an appointment to receive the vaccine. The call center is also being expanded so callers should have less of a wait time.
Adults 65 and over, and those ages 18-64 with certain chronic health conditions are currently eligible to make an appointment for vaccination. All adults age 75 and over, and healthcare personnel, are also eligible. Second doses are now available for all people who have already received a first dose.
There is no restriction to receive vaccination in the county where you live. However, since COVID-19 vaccination requires two doses, please arrange for your second vaccination at the same location that you received your first vaccination to ensure accurate recordkeeping. Because of high demand, appointments my be limited,
Friday the Mississippi State Department of Health announced that additional COVID-19 vaccine was allocated to Mississippi last week.
The additional allotments will support ongoing vaccination appointments at drive-through sites this week and allow for a modest amount of doses to be shared with community partners. The additional vaccine will be distributed to community partners in a manner that seeks to address both geographic and racial disparities.
No drive-though sites were scheduled as of this week in Webster County. However, vaccinations may be received from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today-Friday at the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville. Because of high demand, appointments may not be available at all sites.
MSDH said it anticipates it will have additional drive-through appointments, in more locations, next week based on vaccine forecasted to be available at the end of this week.
The anticipated arrival of significantly more vaccine in February is in addition to the steady, modest supply it is currently receiving weekly.
