COVID surge leads to record number of hospitalizations

by

Desare Frazier

• Published on December 1, 2020 • Comments

Dr. Alan Jones discussing COVID 19 hospitalizations UMMC, Nov. 2020
AP/Rogelio V. Solis

For the first time Mississippi hospitals hit the 1,000 mark for the number of people admitted with the coronavirus according to the state health department.

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Mississippi Department of Health reports the state began seeing a surge in coronavirus cases in November. Sunday, the agency found hospital admissions for COVID 19 had reached 1,008. Dr. Jennifer Bryan, with the Mississippi Medical Association says the Thanksgiving holiday will likely raise that number.

“It really boils down to our own behavior and that is what we have been saying for quite some time now. The goal is not to overwhelm the healthcare system,” said Bryan.

Since Thanksgiving Day, cases have averaged more than 1,500 daily. Bryan says COVID 19 can lead to other complications such as blood clots and strokes which may lengthen hospital stays. She says physicians and healthcare workers are tired. Bryan is urging everyone to protect themselves by wearing a mask, washing their hands often and finding creative ways to social distance.