Despite declines in new cases, hospitals across Mississippi continue to face high demands inpatient care. And hospital mortality rates across the state have risen 40% compared to previous years because of coronavirus-related illness according to health officials. Now, Mississippi leads the nation in coronavirus mortality rates.
Experts say more residents need to get a coronavirus vaccine to prevent avoidable deaths. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says 98% of coronavirus cases are among the unvaccinated, and nine in ten hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
“88% of our deaths are in unvaccinated folks. Who are the people that are dying who have been fully vaccinated? The vast majority of those folks are over the age of 65. And when you look at death under the age of 40, we’ve not had a single death under the age of 40 in a vaccinated person,” says Dr. Byers.
Dr. Steven Stogner is medical director of the Intensive Care program at Forest General Hospital and Vice-Chairs the board of the Mississippi State Medical Association. He says if someone needs intensive care to the point of being put on a ventilator, no matter their age, the chance of survival is slim.
Dr. Stronger says “There’s only support that you can give them. Of course, we have our protocols, but once the lungs can no longer get oxygen into the blood, and then the other organs are affected, it’s just strictly a support system that you can give. And once you go on a ventilator, it’s a 70+% mortality.”
Health officials say many Mississippians have pre-existing health conditions, and upwards of 200,000 residents may currently qualify for coronavirus booster doses. Dr. Paul Byers says it is essential for vaccine providers across the state to report accurate numbers for vaccine distribution. He says that allows the federal government to send an adequate number of doses to the state.
