Mississippi sheriff dies after testing positive for COVID-19

The sheriff of Mississippi’s largest county has died, almost two weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19 amid an outbreak of the illness at a jail he oversaw.

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COVID cases in MS and AL

UMMC announces surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations

The number of coronavirus cases are rising for the younger people in Mississippi.

2,821 more cases, 7 more deaths as of Tuesday afternoon, MSDH says

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported 2,821 more cases and seven more deaths as of Tuesday afternoon.

Attorney General: Colleges can't fine unvaccinated students

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office said a college's plan to reimburse $500 to vaccinated students likely runs against a new state law banning so-called vaccine passports.

Masks required in Pontotoc City School District

All students and staff will be required to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status.

Report: Oxford teacher suspended for mask resistance

Tyler Kuntz teaches orchestra and was suspended Wednesday and Thursday without pay.

MSU will require masks to start fall semester

The university says it'll temporarily require masks in all indoor locations on its Starkville and Meridian campuses.

Amory Schools amend mask policy: Masks required for all

Masks will now be required for all students and staff in the Amory School District.

No mask mandate in Mississippi, governor reaffirmed Tuesday

Rather than focusing on wearing masks, Reeves said the state should focus more on vaccinations.

North Mississippi Health Services is running out of masks to give out to patients and visitors

Because of this, they're asking that people who have appointments or who are visiting patients to bring their own masks.

Toyota reinstating mask mandate in U.S. facilities

The manufacturing giant will require masks in its U.S. facilities in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Mississippi COVID-19 vaccinations double as virus surges

The number of people receiving doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Mississippi is increasing as the virus surges in the state.

Calhoun County students to wear masks

The School Board made the decision in a special meeting on Monday in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Mississippi.

More than 110M COVID vaccines sent to 60 countries, US says

The White House says the U.S. has donated and shipped more than 110 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to more than 60 countries, ranging from Afghanistan to Zambia.

Masks required in Tupelo Schools

Students and staff in the Tupelo Public School District must wear masks to start off the new school year.

US hits 70% vaccination rate -- a month late, amid a surge

The U.S. finally reached President Joe Biden’s goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot in the arms of 70% of American adults.

Woman who lost unvaccinated fiancé to Covid-19: 'I would take a bad reaction over having to bury my husband'

Jessica DuPreez, a Las Vegas mom, tells CNN's Phil Mattingly that one of the last text messages her fiancé, 39-year-old Michael Freedy, sent her before he passed away from Covid-19, was, "I should have gotten the damn vaccine."

NMHS seeking more healthcare workers to combat COVID resurgance

NMHS is actively recruiting more healthcare workers to offset the spread and to ensure the highest quality of care for its patients.

'Wouldn't want my worst enemy to go through this': Unvaccinated man fights Covid-19

CNN's Chris Cuomo visits with Alicia Ball, whose husband William is currently hospitalized in Mississippi with Covid-19.

Study: Vaccinated people can carry as much virus as others

Health officials on Friday released details of that research, which was key in this week’s decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant is fueling infection surges.

To get shots in arms, governments turn to money in pockets

President Joe Biden is calling on states and local governments to join those that already are handing out dollars for shots.

Officials in Tokyo alarmed as virus cases hit record highs

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katunobu Kato told reporters the new cases are soaring not only in the Tokyo area but across the country.

Biden orders tough new vaccination rules for federal government

It is requiring that any federal civilian worker who does not verify being fully vaccinated will be subject to universal masking, weekly testing, physical distancing from other employees and restrictions on official travel.

This is why Ozarks Healthcare is giving vaccines in private settings

Dr. Priscilla Frase say that Ozarks Healthcare in Missouri is giving vaccines privately, so recipients won't face backlash for "giving in."

MSDH recommends everyone, including fully-vaccinated, wear masks in public indoor settings

According to the MSDH, the delta variant is the predominant strain in Mississippi and accounts for an estimated 93% of cases in the state.

Spokeswoman: Mississippi gov won't mandate masks in schools

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves “has no intention” of requiring people to wear masks in schools this fall.

CDC reverses course on indoor masks in some parts of US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reversing course on some masking guidelines.

Aberdeen Schools requiring face coverings at start of semester

In a statement on Tuesday, the district will review its mask mandate following the first four weeks of school to decide if the mandate is needed any further.

Shot incentives offered in Alabama despite state refusal

A north Alabama city and Auburn University are offering cash and other perks for people to get vaccinated for COVID-19 despite the state’s resistance to incentives aimed at improving the state’s worst-in-the-nation inoculation program.

Mississippi sees big jump in COVID-19 positive test results

Mississippi health officials say the state is seeing its highest number of new COVID-19 cases in months as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread.

NMHS lead doctor provides info about monoclonal antibodies

Dr. Jeremy Blanchard released the following information about monoclonal antibodies.

Antibody treatments in Starkville could save a COVID patients life

Doctors at OCH Regional Medical Center are using monoclonal antibody therapy to help treat patients who test positive for the virus.

State advising doctors to consider giving coronavirus vaccine booster to some

The Mississippi State Department of Health sent an alert to doctors Friday telling them they may want to give a coronavirus vaccine booster shot to certain people.

Alabama offering $5 incentive for inmates to get shots

Alabama's prison system is offering incentives for prisoners to get COVID-19 vaccinations.

WH: US to buy 200M more doses of Pfizer vaccine

The additional doses will be delivered between this fall and spring of next year.

Alabama governor: It's time to start blaming unvaccinated folks

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey spoke out against the unvaccinated population in Alabama and says it's time to start blaming them for not doing their part in the pandemic.

Health officer: Face mask requirement may be needed indoors

The head of the health department in Alabama's largest metro area says COVID-19 is spreading so rapidly that public places should consider a return to requiring face masks.

What is a COVID-19 vaccine 'breakthrough' case?

A small number of COVID-19 “breakthrough” cases are expected after vaccination, and health officials say they’re not a cause for alarm.

Interview: Dr. Rayford talks COVID and upcoming events

July 22, 2021

Okolona Schools mandating masks

School leaders said all students and staff members must wear masks while inside.

Top doctor: Mississippi faces 'rough few weeks' with COVID

Mississippi faces “a rough few weeks” because of an increase in COVID-19 cases. That's according to the state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs.

US airlines say COVID-19 variants aren't hurting bookings

Airlines say the current rise in new cases of coronavirus aren't scaring away travelers. United Airlines said Wednesday that bookings are rising and it has seen no slowdown because of the fast-spreading delta variant of COVID-19.

Alabama suffers 'self-inflicted wound' of worsening COVID-19

A health leader says Alabama is suffering a “self-inflicted wound” from COVID-19.

Japanese PM Suga says world should see safe Olympics staged

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says the world needs to see that Japan can stage a safe Olympics.

VIDEO - Starkville hospital hopes to avoid delta surge

July 19, 2021

Local residents share opinion on state case surge

Coronavirus cases continue to climb, largely due to the spread of the delta variant. The surge leaving state health leaders all across Mississippi worried.

Biden: 'Killing people' remark was call for big tech to act

President Joe Biden is tempering his assessment that social media giants are “killing people” by hosting misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines on their platforms.

Stocks skid as virus fears shake markets; Dow falls 2.1%

Stocks skidded on Wall Street, and investors sought refuge in government bonds amid worries that fast-spreading variants of the coronavirus will threaten the economic recovery.

UK government plans to end coronavirus restrictions as cases top 50,000

Despite the increase, the British government plans Monday to lift all remaining legal restrictions on social contact in England and to ditch social distancing guidelines as well as the legal requirement for people to wear masks in most indoor settings, including shops, trains, buses and subways.

Pfizer: US regulators OK 'priority review'

Vaccines cleared for emergency use still must undergo the stringent full approval process, a step that might help persuade some people who aren’t yet immunized to roll up their sleeves.

'Pandemic of the unvaccinated' burdens busy US hospitals

The COVID-19 comeback across the U.S. is putting pressure on hospitals at a time when some of them are busy just trying to catch up on surgeries and other procedures that were put on hold during the pandemic.

Young man dies after battling the coronavirus for a week

Twenty-eight year old, Jay Harris' Godparents said they can’t believe he’s gone at such a young age.

EXPLAINER: Are we going to need COVID-19 booster shots?

Experts around the globe are watching closely to determine if and when people might need another a COVID-19 booster shot.

CDC, FDA Looking Into Risk Of Nerve Complication After Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

Not Available

Dobbs issues correction: 2 children on life support

Updated - Mississippi's state health officer is worried the state will see a bigger surge of the delta variant.

Mississippi governor, state health officer thank Guardsmen for their COVID efforts

On Tuesday, Gov. Tate Reeves and State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs thanked the Guardsmen in Tupelo.

Mississippi gets nearly $13 million for rural Covid fight

Mississippi hospitals in rural areas will receive nearly $13 million in federal funding to help fight the coronavirus.

FDA adds warning of rare reaction risk to J&J COVID vaccine

U.S. regulators added a new warning to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine about links to a rare and potentially dangerous neurological reaction.

NMHS leader encourages vaccinations to quell delta variant

He’s concerned the delta variant could lead to a spike in coronavirus cases and put pressure on hospitals again.

Policy incentivizes vaccine for Lee County employees

County administrator Bill Benson hopes the new policy is an incentive for employees to get the vaccine.

MSDH issues new recommendations in response to delta variant

The state health department issued new COVID-19 recommendations on Friday in response to the delta variant.

Vaccinated teachers and students don't need masks, CDC says

U.S. health officials say vaccinated teachers and students don't need to wear masks inside school buildings.

Fans banned at Olympics; Tokyo under state of emergency

Fans are banned from the Tokyo Olympics following a state of emergency aimed at containing rising COVID-19 infections in the capital.

Data identifies 5 undervaccinated clusters in the US. See where they are

A new data analysis identifies clusters of unvaccinated people, most of them in the southern United States, that are vulnerable to surges in Covid-19 cases and could become breeding grounds for even more deadly Covid-19 variants. CNN's senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen reports.

Will one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine protect me?

One dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine will provide some protection, but not nearly as much as if you had both doses.

Pop-up clinics aim to increase number of vaccinated Mississippians

The Mississippi State Department of Health has been placing temporary, pop-up clinics in small towns across the state, such as Okolona.

What should I know about the delta variant?

The delta variant of the coronavirus has been found in more than 80 countries since it was first detected in India and is responsible for 20% of infections in the U.S.

Southwest, American delays hint at hard summer for travelers

If you're planning to fly this summer, bring plenty of patience. Airlines are already struggling to keep up with the rising number of passengers as the number of Americans getting on planes is at a pandemic-era high.

British Prime Minister says restrictions to ease, UK must live with virus

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says people in England will no longer be required by law to wear face masks in indoor public spaces and to keep at least 1 meter (3 feet) apart as soon as later this month.

How these telemedicine companies are innovating in the pandemic

CNN's Rachel Crane explores how the pandemic accelerated innovation in telemedicine and access to health care.

Liberty: Lots of travelers expected on freer Fourth of July

Americans enjoying newfound liberty are expected to travel and gather for cookouts, fireworks and family reunions over the Fourth of July weekend in numbers not seen since pre-pandemic days.

Some fans. No fans. Tokyo undecided as games open in 3 weeks

The president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee has repeated that banning fans from venues is still an option with the games opening in just three weeks.

US jobless claims fall to 364,000, a new pandemic low

The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell again last week to the lowest level since the pandemic struck last year, further evidence that the job market and the broader economy are rebounding rapidly from the coronavirus recession.

Fauci on vaccination rates: It's almost like there's two Americas

Dr. Anthony Fauci says the rise in coronavirus from the Delta variant in certain part of the US "is entirely avoidable, entirely preventable" if more people in those areas would get the Covid-19 vaccination.

Millions skipped church during pandemic. Will they return?

Churches, synagogues and mosques are returning to normal services as the pandemic recedes.

VIDEO - Getting the vaccine: Public explain why or why not

June 28, 2021

A 'tough nut to crack': States race to vaccinate young adults against Covid-19

Vaccine makers are preparing for a next possible phase of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout: booster doses. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on these booster studies.

There are at least 200 known cases of the Delta Plus coronavirus variant worldwide. Here's what we know

Delta variant of Covid-19 spreading in almost all states, Missouri hospitals struggling

Some fully vaccinated people may still get sick if exposed to variants, CDC warns

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told CNN Friday that the agency is tracking the...

Did Covid-19 take your taste and smell? Here's when they may return

Alisson Clark first knew she definitely had Covid-19 last September when she lost her sense of smell."I grabbed a cup of coffee in the morning, and it...

These are the two key groups now being hit hardest by Covid-19

Covid-19 deaths have been falling dram...

CDC extends eviction moratorium a month, says it's last time

The Biden administration has extended the nationwide ban on evictions for a month to help tenants who are unable to make rent payments during the coronavirus pandemic but says this is expected to be the last time it does so.

Nearly every new Covid-19 death is now entirely preventable, CDC director says

The dangerous Delta variant poses a risk as the United S...

Covid-19 vaccine boosters may be necessary. Here's what you need to know

Vaccine makers are preparing for a next possible phase of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout: booster doses.While boosters are not necessary now, more infor...

White House says US will fall short of July 4th vaccination goals

The White House on Tuesday acknowledged the US would fall short of President Joe Biden's July Fourth Covid-19 vaccination goals, saying the country has more...

As the pandemic in the US slows, the fight against 'long haul' Covid is on

Dr. Michael Saag normally cares for Covid-19 patients, but early in the pandemic, he became a patient. Now, he has joined the ranks with lingering symptoms f...

It has been 500 days since the first known US death from Covid-19. Variants and low vaccination rates threaten to prolong the pandemic

As the United States continues on a path to near pre-pande...

Delta variant will likely become dominant Covid-19 strain in US, CDC chief says

The Delta variant of Covid-19 is expec...

Can you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines?

Experts say mixing and matching different two-dose COVID-19 vaccines is likely safe and effective, but data still needs to be collected to be sure.

Fauci: US to spend $3.2B for antiviral pills for COVID-19

The United States is devoting more than $3 billion to advance development of antiviral pills for COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics.

These communities remain at high risk for dangerous Covid-19 variants rapidly increasing in US, expert warns

The country continued this week on a path to reopening...

Have suitcase, will travel! Americans take to the skies in almost pre-pandemic numbers as Covid-19 restrictions ease

As more Americans get vaccinated against Covid-19 and states and cities...

'A summer of freedom': Vaccine gives new meaning to July 4th

President Joe Biden wants to imbue Independence Day with new meaning this year by encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to normalcy after 16 months of coronavirus pandemic disruption and more than 600,000 lives lost.

VIDEO: New mask ordinance in Aberdeen

New mask guidelines are now in effect for the City of Aberdeen.