The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported the first death from the novel (new) coronavirus COVID-19 in Webster County.
MSDH said March 25 a Webster County man age 65-70 with underlying health conditions died while in hospitalization. His death marked the third from COVID-19 in Mississippi as of that date.
His case was one of five confirmed cases of the virus reported for the county as of Monday morning with test results from the previous day. The first case in Webster County was identified March 20.
The state total of cases as reported at 6 p.m. Monday stood at 937, with 20 deaths, according to statistics from the state Health Department. COVID-19 cases are identified by testing from the state Public Health Laboratory and private testing providers.
Totals for neighboring counties are Calhoun, three; Chickasaw, 13; Choctaw, six; Clay, four; Montgomery, seven with 1 death; and Oktibbeha, 17.
Other counties with deaths as of Monday were Amite, Hancock, Harrison, Holmes, Lee, Leflore, Perry, Rankin, Sunflower, Tippah, Tunica and Desoto and Wilkinson. All have one death except Tippah and Wilkinson, which have two each.
While most Mississippi coronavirus deaths have been in those over 60 years old, MSDH urged residents to keep in mind that it can be a serious risk for those with long-term health problems at any age.
“If you have diabetes, heart disease or other chronic illness, follow your doctor’s recommendations closely,” the agency stated.” This is also a time for everyone to concentrate on staying in good overall health.”
Testing providers
The MSDH Public Health Laboratory is testing samples submitted by Mississippi physicians and healthcare providers around the state in cases where COVID-19 is determined to be a risk.
Anyone with symptoms of fever, severe cough or severe chest pains — especially those who are older or in poor health — should call their doctor or healthcare provider for instructions on safely being examined. Healthcare providers can assess your health history and symptoms, and perform testing for COVID-19 as needed. These are not state Health Department testing sites.
Individual test providers will set their own testing fee. Ask about the cost of testing when you call a test provider. These providers require that you have symptoms of COVID-19 in order to be tested: a fever of 100.4 or greater and severe cough or chest pain. You should call ahead before visiting to make testing arrangements.
Preventive steps
COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, China, that causes flu-like illness ranging from mild to severe, with symptoms of fever, coughing, fatigue and difficulty breathing. Like the flu, COVID-19 is thought to spread person-to-person by close contact (within 6 feet) and by coughing or sneezing. Other possible routes of transmission may include touching surfaces contaminated by the virus.
Preventive measures Mississippians can take include these:
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing, blowing your nose and using the bathroom. Effective handwashing takes about 20 seconds, and includes cleaning under fingernails, between fingers and washing the back of hands as well as the front.
• Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with anyone who is ill.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. When possible, cough, sneeze or blow your nose into a tissue and throw the tissue away.
• If you are sick, especially with shortness of breath, severe cough, fever or severe chest pain, call a doctor or healthcare provider for instructions on being safely examined.
• Avoid social gatherings where 10 people or more would come into close contact.
• Practice physical distancing: stay at least 6 feet apart from others in a group.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Health Department continue to closely monitor the outbreak of respiratory illnesses caused by COVID-19, and are working to limit the spread of cases nationally and in Mississippi. MSDH is actively working with doctors and hospitals on responding safely and effectively to this outbreak.
More details of COVID-19 in the state, along with preventive steps to take against COVID-19, are online at http://HealthyMS.com/covid-19. The Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline is the best way to get your questions about COVID-19 answered. Call any time: 877-978-6453.
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