JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The state of Mississippi reported 288 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total to at least 9,378.
The state’s death toll from the virus rose to 421, an increase of 12 from the day before, according to statistics posted on the state Department of Health website.
It said about 1,150 of the patients and 185 of those who died were in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Such facilities often care for people who are older than 65 and have health problems, making them especially vulnerable to the disease. They account for about 12% of all cases but nearly 44% of the deaths in Mississippi.
The number of coronavirus infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, but for others it can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.
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