More K-12 students in Mississippi have now tested positive for COVID-19 since going back to school last month than did so during the entirety of the previous school year, an examination of Mississippi State Department of Health data reveals.
Mississippi has now surpassed the state of New York, the nation’s original pandemic hotspot, in total COVID-19 deaths per 100,000. The only state where the pandemic has proven deadlier than the Magnolia State is New Jersey.
As many Mississippi children have died of COVID-19 over the past month as died during the first 17 months of the pandemic combined. The Mississippi State Department of Health reports that the latest pediatric victim is younger than 5 years old.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is not relenting in his opposition to issuing an order mandating masks in all public schools statewide even though a 13-year-old girl died of COVID-19 after starting eighth grade in a mask-optional school district.
At least 5,993 Mississippi students tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks, according to data the Mississippi State Department of Health released today.
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