Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mississippi State Department of Health continue to closely monitor the outbreak of respiratory illnesses caused by the novel (new) coronavirus COVID-19, and are working to limit the spread of cases nationally and in Mississippi. MSDH is actively working with doctors and hospitals to quickly identify cases and respond effectively to limit this outbreak.

If you are waiting for test results, it is essential to remain at home. Do not go to work or leave home. Stay in a specific room at home and avoid contact with other family members as much as possible. These steps are important to prevent the possible spread of disease.

• More important steps for you and your family

Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline (available 24/7): 877-978-6453
Hard of hearing? Dial 711 for assistance.

Local COVID-19 testing: Find COVID-19 testing near you »

COVID-19 in Mississippi and the U.S.

Cases of COVID-19 continue to be identified in U.S. states and in Mississippi. This is a rapidly changing situation that is continually being monitored by the CDC and MSDH as new cases are identified.

Mississippians are advised to take health precautions to prevent the transmission of disease, and stay in touch for the latest information on the situation in Mississippi.

Mississippi COVID-19 Case Map

This map and the following table show total cases in Mississippi as of 6 p.m. April 17, 2020, and include all reported cases since March 11, 2020.

• New cases reported today: 181
• New deaths reported today: 12

An interactive version of this case map is also available: View interactive Mississippi case map »

Mississippi COVID-19 Cases to Date

Outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCs)

Long-term care (LTC) facilities like nursing homes are considered high risk locations because their residents are older or in poor health. Even one case of COVID-19 in these facilities among residents or employees is considered an outbreak. We investigate residents, staff and close contacts of infected individuals for possible exposure. The number of LTC facilities with outbreaks are shown for each county in the table below.

Mississippi Cases to Date by Race

* Cases still under investigation have not had their data finalized.

The numbers in this table are provisional. County case numbers and deaths may change as investigation finds new or additional information about residence.

Trends and Summary Data

The charts below are based on available data at the time of publication. Charts do not include cases where insufficient details of the case are known.

Note: Values up to two weeks in the past on the Date of Illness Onset chart below can change as we update it with new information from disease investigation.

U.S. and World Cases

• Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in the United States (CDC)
• COVID-19 Global Case Map (Johns Hopkins University)

COVID-19 Testing

Statewide Testing Summary

COVID-19 testing providers around the state include commercial laboratories and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Combined with testing done by the MSDH Public Health Laboratory, the figures provide a complete picture of all Mississippi testing. We will update these figures as data becomes available.

Combined testing totals (MSDH, UMMC and commercial testing providers) as of April 12, 2020.

MSDH Testing Summary

MSDH Public Health Laboratory (MPHL) testing totals as of 6 p.m., April 17, 2020. These totals are for tests performed at the MPHL only.

• Total individuals tested by the MPHL: 10,490
• Total positive individuals from MPHL tests: 1,169

Getting Tested for COVID-19

What MSDH Is Doing

The Mississippi State Department of Health is aggressively responding to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. With other state agencies, it has activated emergency operations in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Mississippi.

Other steps that MSDH is taking include:

• Surveillance: Increasing surveillance (monitoring) activities to identify cases of COVID-19 as quickly as possible and to limit person-to-person transmission.
• Testing: Making COVID-19 testing available for healthcare providers through the MSDH Public Health Laboratory.
• Planning: Working directly with hospitals and healthcare providers across the state to plan for possible cases of COVID-19, preparing them to identify and safely treat cases.
• Readiness: Assessing statewide hospital capacities, ensuring the capacity of the MSDH Public Health Laboratory for COVID-19 testing, and informing all Mississippi healthcare providers about procedures for identifying and testing for coronavirus cases.
• Information: Providing guidance to business, education and other entities on how to respond to the possible spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Prevention and Preparation for Individuals and the Community

• Preventive steps to take, recommendations, guidances and general information on COVID-19