Individuals age 65 and older and those ages 16-64 with chronic medical conditions are encouraged to avoid all gatherings until fully vaccinated.

The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the public health guidance announcement Tuesday afternoon “to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death in these vulnerable populations,” according to an MSDH press release.

People who fall into these categories are asked to avoid all social gatherings outside the household and in-person mass gatherings — including religious ceremonies and sporting events — until fully protected by an approved COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 637,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Mississippi as of Monday, according to MSDH.

MSDH received reports of 227,961 people receiving two doses and 409,892 receiving a single dose, with 637,853 total doses administered. Federal Pharmacy Partnership providers, such as Walgreens and CVS pharmacies, received 88,725 vaccinations. Mississippi Enrolled Providers — including hospitals, private clinics and MSDH drive-through clinics — received 848,940.

Individuals who described their race as White received 71% of vaccinations to date in the state, while those who described their race as Black received 24%. Four percent of vaccinations were administered to those who chose “other” and 1% were given to those who described themselves as Asian. Less than 1% each were administered to each of the following groups — American Indian, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander and multi-racial.

Non-Hispanic ethnicity groups comprised 90% of vaccine recipients. One percent were Hispanic and 9% were of unknown ethnicity.

 

Case update

Three new cases and one new death were reported for Lincoln County Monday, elevating the county’s totals to 3,544 cases of the coronavirus and 103 deaths.

Forty-four deaths and 301 cases were reported Monday statewide, bringing Mississippi’s total number of reported cases to 295,295 and 6,724 related fatalities.

As of Monday, 421 people were hospitalized with confirmed COVID infections and another 36 were in hospitals with suspected infections. Intensive care units had 109 coronavirus patients, with 69 on ventilators.