MSDH Public Health Update for June 15, 2022: COVID-19 activity, West Nile virus, recent inspections and more

Mississippi Public Health Update June 15, 2022 COVID-19 Activity More Mississippi counties are showing higher COVID-19 activity. Community levels of COVID-19 activity have risen from low to medium in more than 30 Mississippi counties. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to MSDH and hospitalizations both continue their upward trend. Lower your risk of severe illness COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are available at county health departments around the state. Being fully vaccinated, with boosters, can reduce your chance of severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. CDC Community Levels map as of June 9. CDC maps and data More about COVID-19 Free COVID-19 testing Getting treatment if you are sick with COVID-19 Complete COVID-19 information Check the COVID-19 activity level in your county (CDC) Latest county details COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon) Hearing impaired? Dial 711 first.   Treat COVID-19 illness early to prevent illness Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are on the rise in Mississippi. The oral antiviral Paxlovid can prevent severe symptoms of COVID-19 and help avoid hospitalization if it's taken within 5 days of the start of COVID-19 symptoms. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, ask your doctor about getting Paxlovid. Anyone 12 or older is eligible for a Paxlovid prescription. Your doctor will determine whether an oral antiviral is right for you. Patients as young as 12 are eligible for Paxlovid. More about oral antivirals for COVID-19   Report your home test kit results If you or a family member has a new positive test result for COVID-19 found with a home test kit, please use our online form to help us track COVID-19 in Mississippi. Report a positive home test now West Nile Virus A new human case of West Nile virus (WNV) has been confirmed in an Oktibbeha County resident. WNV is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, and the state is nearing peak season for mosquito activity and West Nile infections. While symptoms are usually mild, they can sometimes become severe and long-lasting, or lead to death. Older adults are especially at risk for severe West Nile illness. Taking steps to avoid mosquito bites and reduce mosquitoes around your home are the best ways to prevent West Nile virus. Use an effective mosquito repellent whenever you are outdoors. Avoid areas where mosquitoes are more likely to be found: grassy or wooded areas outdoors, and areas where standing water accumulates. Mosquitoes are more active in the morning and evening. Dress in long pants and sleeves when possible. Clear your yard of places where standing water can accumulate: empty flowerpot saucers outdoors, remove objects in the yard where water can collect, and fill in low areas where rainwater can puddle for long periods. Choosing a mosquito repellent Full information on West Nile virus and staying protected Inspections MSDH Regularly inspects food facilities, child care facilities, and others for safety and regulatory compliance. The latest results and violation reports for these inspections can be found on our website. Recent grade "C" restaurant inspections Recent child care facility violations Inspection reports for Mississippi nursing homes Healthy Mississippi Why you want an annual checkup "If only it had been detected sooner" is something you never want to hear from your doctor. Annual checkups keep you in touch with your health and find signs of disease early, before they can become serious. Heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes affect so many Mississippi adults who don't realize there's problem until their condition is advanced. When you're in touch with your health, you stay healthy longer. These services can help: Free testing for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases Cancer screenings for older women who are under-insured Community health centers offering affordable checkups Between checkups, keep yourself healthy. It pays off over time in less illness and better quality of life. Steps to better health Staying active is one of the greatest drivers of good health. Make an effort to move vigorously every day, whether it's walking, running, dancing, or simple exercises. Start with a few minutes and build up to half an hour or more. Ways to get moving Choosing foods that build health is the second key to getting healthy and staying that way. When you focus on more fruits, grains and vegetables, lighter meats, and eliminate snack food, you can lower your risk of major chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, and feel better at the same time. Simple ways to eat better Regular checkups to watch your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar give you advance warning of serious problems, and keep you on track to health. Heart disease kills more Mississippians than any other cause, yet it's easy to avoid. The numbers you need to know Keep a healthy weight to make life longer and more enjoyable. When you eat right and stay active, you're already on your way to your best weight. Help with a healthy weight What We Do A sample of services and programs of the Mississippi State Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection The MSDH Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program strives for early detection of cancer in Mississippi women at highest risk. The program offers: Pap exam screening services to uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 64. Mammography screening for uninsured women between 50 and 64 years of age, who are more likely to have advanced disease when symptoms appear. Screening detects possible cancers early, when treatment is most effective, and helps save lives. More about the MSDH Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

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