Mississippi News

Tenth Mississippi child dies of COVID-19

Published

3 years ago

January 27, 2022

Tenth Mississippi child dies of COVID-19

by Will Stribling, Mississippi Today
January 27, 2022

A 10th child in Mississippi has died from the coronavirus, the Mississippi Department of Health announced Wednesday afternoon.

The only information made available about the death is that the child was under 18. All pediatric deaths in Mississippi from COVID-19 have been among the unvaccinated.

“Vaccination is the best protection for our children who are eligible to receive it,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said in a statement. “For those under five years of age, it is critically important that everyone around the infant and child are vaccinated.”

Mississippi has one of the lowest vaccination rates nationally and among every age group. Just 7% of Mississippi children aged 5-11 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 19% nationally, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination rate in Mississippi for children ages 12 to 17 is higher (37%) but still lags behind the national rate of 54%.

“Every pediatric death is a tragedy. Every child was unvaccinated. Many too young to be eligible,” Dr. Anita Henderson, president of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a tweet following the announcement. “Children depend on the adults around them for protection. Please … get vaccinated and boosted if eligible.”

Mississippi also has the highest COVID-19 death rate in that nation. The vast majority of deaths in the state have been among the elderly.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for any child five years of age and older at all county health departments. MSDH recommends that all those over 12 receive booster shots to prevent hospitalizations and death.

The age ranges for all COVID-19 pediatric deaths in Mississippi are:

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

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: December 20-22

Published

1 week ago

December 20, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2024-12-20 12:03:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (December 20-22), Mississippi offers a variety of festive events. In Jackson, enjoy Food Truck Friday, candlelight concerts, a Grinch movie screening, and Journey to the North Pole. In Ridgeland, experience Merry Bingo, Christmas on the Green, and Fleet Feet Coffee Run. Vicksburg hosts Rock the Halls, while Natchez offers a European Christmas Shopping Village. Other activities include Santa scuba diving at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, and Magic of Lights in Brandon. Hattiesburg features Lights of the Wild and Teddy Bear Tea with Santa. Numerous holiday events are available across the state.

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Mississippi News

Attorneys seek protective order in Jackson bribery case

Published

1 week ago

December 19, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2024-12-19 14:36:00

SUMMARY: Prosecutors in Jackson are seeking a protective order to prevent the release of sensitive information in a bribery case involving Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, and City Councilman Aaron Banks. The motion aims to protect personal, financial, and grand jury information, fearing it could impair investigations and fair trial rights. The three officials face charges related to a bribery scheme involving $80,000 in bribes for approving a real estate development project. Other individuals, including former City Councilwoman Angelique Lee and Sherik Marve Smith, are also implicated, with Smith pleading guilty to conspiracy.

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Mississippi News

Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse

Published

2 weeks ago

December 10, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – MICHAEL R. SISAK and MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press – 2024-12-10 14:27:00

SUMMARY: Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested in Pennsylvania and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Mangione, who expressed disdain for corporate greed and the health insurance industry, was found with a gun matching the murder weapon and fraudulent IDs. He initially gave false identification but was recognized at a McDonald’s. Mangione, who wrote a three-page document expressing anti-corporate sentiments, is being extradited to New York. His family, shocked by his arrest, expressed condolences to Thompson’s family. Mangione had no prior criminal complaints but had a history of severe back pain.

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