In the past few weeks, Covid has strengthened with its second wave. After taking multiple precautions since March, many people now feel burnt out from the precautionary measures. The Mississippi Department of Health has announced today 3023 cases in one day.
Increasingly, people are tired of having to wear masks and social distancing everywhere they go. Parents and students alike have become frustrated with the inevitable steps that schools are having to take as a way to protect both students and faculty from the illness.
With the extreme increase in Covid cases, people are now beginning to become more serious about taking precautions again, especially as a way to protect those considered most at risk.
When the first wave of Covid hit, starting in March, Clarke County saw its highest number of cases the weeks of May 9 – May 16 when there were around 25 cases recognized by the Mississippi Department of Health. The age groups most impacted between March and July were as follows: 39 cases for ages 18-29, 32 cases for ages 30-39, 38 cases for ages 40-49, 33 cases for ages 50-59, and 30 cases for ages 60-69.
From March through July, the highest average of new cases diagnosed in the state was approximately 1200 cases a day.
In the last few weeks with the second wave, the average number of new cases diagnosed was around 2500 each day.
As of December 29, Clarke County has had 1186 confirmed cases and 58 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
There is officially a vaccine that researchers have declared to be effective and safe for the public, but it will only be given to specific groups to start off with, mainly health care workers and those most at risk. Different surveys have shown reluctance from the public to actually take the vaccine, though.
No matter what, until the pandemic has officially ended, everyone should do what they can in order to help slow down the spread of the virus and protect those who are most at risk. Families throughout the county have already experienced enough loss because of the virus as it is. Despite being worn out from navigating constantly changing executive orders and a new way of living, it is important for the community to take precautionary measures to stay safe.
