County COVID-19 deaths near 200

The latest numbers on coronavirus in Mississippi Friday indicate that there were 2,050 new cases of the virus found in the state and there have been 45 new related deaths.  

The state has now had a total of 261,167 positive cases and 5,713 related deaths. 

DeSoto County has added 125 new cases of the virus and added four new deaths. The county’s pandemic totals now are 17,561 cases and 191 deaths. There have also been 113 total long-term care facility outbreaks and 24 deaths.  

DeSoto County hospitals Friday morning were reporting some bed availability. Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto in Southaven reported seven available hospital beds and two available intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Baptist-DeSoto had 72 main area coronavirus patients and 11 virus patients in intensive care. 

Methodist-Olive Branch Hospital reported two available hospital beds and no open ICU beds Friday morning. Methodist-Olive Branch has 25 confirmed virus patients and six COVID-19 patients in intensive care.  

An article out this week by the website 24/7 Wall Street studies case and death numbers for Mid-South counties in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. 

The figures used were as of Wednesday, Jan. 20. Shelby County, Tenn. has the most number of cases (77,157) and deaths (1,142) from coronavirus, but the large population of Shelby County dropped the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population to 8,234. 

DeSoto County ranks fifth-lowest among Mid-South counties in cases per 100,000 population at 9,840 but the number of deaths from the virus per 100,000 population tied with Tipton County, Tennessee for the lowest, each at 106.  

COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population, according to the report, are lower in Tunica County (8,594), Tate County (9,627), and Marshall County (9,716). 

The story is found online on the 247WallSt.com website.