Quiet holiday weekend as new virus tests spike statewide

Oktibbeha County saw eight new COVID-19 cases confirmed over the holiday weekend as inpatient cases requiring hospitalization statewide saw a major drop and the number of new tests conducted saw a noticeable spike.

In Starkville, parks were empty save for scattered individuals at picnic tables practicing social distancing. While no public Memorial Day ceremony was observed in downtown as in years past, due to the continued mandate of outdoor public gatherings being limited to 20 people of less, a new wreath could been seen on Monday at the memorial at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse commemorating those who died over the years during military service going back to the first World War.

The number of confirmed virus cases for the county as of Monday was reported to be 139, according to the latest numbers provided by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Oktibbeha’s death toll held at 10, while the number of cases at longterm care facilities rose to 36. Three outbreaks have been reported at local facilities since the pandemic began: The Carrington

Nursing Center, Rolling Hills Developmental Center and Starkville Manor. Of the county’s 10 deaths, seven have been residents of longterm care facilities.

Another noticeable trend locally has been the number of confirmed cases for Africanamericans in Oktibbeha (68), which is nearly double that of cases confirmed in white patients (38.). This also follows statewide