Over 90% of COVID-19 cases in Mississippi among unvaccinated people, government warns

The rise in the number of new coronavirus cases in Mississippi, mainly due to the Delta variant, is hitting unvaccinated populations the hardest, the state governor said at a press conference on Wednesday. The state, which also reported seven children in the intensive care unit this week, including two in intensive care due to COVID-19, is struggling with poor immunization.

“Let me be clear, there is no doubt that the majority of the new cases reported today and reported over the past week or so were the Delta variant,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “It appears to be very contagious and there appear to be poor results. Again, I will point out that over 90% of people hospitalized due to this recent increase are not vaccinated. Of the new cases, over 90% are among those who are not. vaccinated. “

Reeves, who was pressed on whether the state was going to offer incentives or launch other programs to encourage residents to get vaccinated, said he was encouraging people to get vaccinated but also believed “in the right of an individual to make a choice “.

MISSISSIPPI REPORTS 7 CHILDREN IN ICU, 2 IN LIFE SUPPORT IN THE MIDDLE OF SURGE DELTA

“I continue to encourage my fellow Mississippi people to get the vaccine, we worked exceptionally hard in January and February to make the vaccine available and easily accessible to any Mississippian who wanted it,” he said. “I also believe in the right of an individual to make a choice based on their health care perspective – if they believe, for whatever reason, that the risk associated with the vaccine is greater than the risk associated with not to receive it is a decision that each individual make. ”

8 VEGAS HOSPITAL WORKERS FULLY VACCINATED TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN “BREAKTHROUGH CLUSTER”

Reeves, a Republican, noted he received the vaccine in January and is hopeful more people will seek the vaccine as the number of cases continues to rise. The state reported 600 new illnesses on Wednesday, matching the number detected over the weekend.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Earlier this week, the state’s top health official urged all Mississippians with a chronic underlying disease and those aged 65 and over to avoid all mass gatherings indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.