Thread by @MSyallpolitics

Today @msdh is holding a press briefing on surpassing winter peaks, growing infections and quarantines in schools (including one death), and new resources to help hospitals. #COVID19

"We are clearly at the worst part of pandemic throughout and its continue to worsen.." stated Dr. Thomas Dobbs @TCBPubHealth. Not only in cases, but hospitalizations, he explains.

Best way out of #COVID19 is the vaccine— 98% of cases were those unvaccinated Dobbs states.

Dr. Byers states that we are seeing a little over 4,000 #COVID19 cases today.

Last week we saw an increase in vaccine rates 71,000 vaccines. This is something that will help us in the fall or in September, @TCBPubHealth said.

.@msdh has put out guidance to K-12 schools:
Suggests indoor masks are universal in all k-12 settings regardless of vaccination status & make sure that schools have access to #COVID testing.

Since beg. of school, 20,000+ kids in quarantine. #COVID19 exposure week of 8/9-13.

Today the @US_FDA authorized a third dose of #COVID19 vaccine for immunocompromised individuals.

@msdh currently advises immunocompromised patients to speak with their doctor or health-care provider about whether they would benefit from a COVID-19 booster shot.

Hospital staffing remains at a critical need.

Dr. Jim Craig stated that they have received requests for staffing from 70+ hospitals in the state of MS. If granted, nearly 1000 acute care and ICU beds not currently in use could be staffed. #COVID19