Mississippi reports its second pediatric COVID death in last seven days
Mississippi has reported a pair of pediatric COVID deaths in the last 7 days according to a release from the MS Dept of Health.
From the MSDH:
Today MSDH reports an additional pediatric COVID-19 death in a child between 1 and 5 years of age. This brings Mississippi’s total of pediatric COVID-19 deaths to 11 since the pandemic began. Children 5 years and up can receive vaccination: https://msdh.ms.gov/protect
Last week, the MSDH reported the following:
Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is confirming its 10th pediatric death in a child under 18 from COVID-19. None of the 10 pediatric deaths were vaccinated. Vaccinations are now available for any child five years of age and older at all county health departments. Boosters are recommended for those over 12 to prevent hospitalization and death.
Since COVID-19 was first diagnosed in Mississippi in March of 2020, the MSDH has reported:
- one death in an infant (under one year of age)
- two deaths in the 1-5 year age range
- one death in the 6-10 year age range
- six deaths in the 11-17 year age range
State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers encourages parents to discuss childhood vaccination with their health care provider.
“Currently we only have seven percent of the 5-11 age group fully vaccinated and 37 percent of the 12-17 age group fully vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection for our children who are eligible to receive it. For those under 5 years of age, it is critically important that everyone around the infant or child be vaccinated.”
Beyond vaccination and booster shots, protection efforts such as social distancing, wearing masks and avoiding large crowds continue to be recommended.
