Source: Mississippi State Department of Health

The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed the first case of the U.K. variant strain of COVID-19 in a Mississippi resident on Monday, according to a MSDH press release.

MSDH reported that the resident is not known to have traveled internationally, and the department does not know of any spread of the variant to contacts of the resident. Additional investigation is ongoing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Sunday that 1,173 cases of the strain, named B.1.1.7, had been reported across the U.S. MSDH said the variant is known to spread more easily and quickly than other strains of the novel coronavirus, according to the press release.

“While suspected, currently there is no direct evidence that this strain causes a more severe infection or a higher risk of death,” MSDH said.

The department said that it is continuing to expand its surveillance of variant strains in Mississippi and that it is likely that additional variant strain cases will be identified. 

In the press release, MSDH encouraged Mississippians to wear a mask, social distance, avoid large gatherings and wash hands often. The department also encourages COVID-19 vaccination for those who are eligible. 

COVID-19 case and death numbers

Mississippi reported on Monday 544 new cases of the coronavirus and two additional COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the state’s totals to 287,980 cases and 6,464 deaths.

Lauderdale County reported 14 new cases and no additional deaths on Monday. The county has reported 6,659 cases of COVID-19 and 219 COVID-19 related deaths since March.

The state is also vaccinating its residents. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported on Sunday that a total of 442,874 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered to Mississippians. 319,354 of the doses were first doses, and 123,520 were second doses.

MSDH reported that 13,349 doses had been administered to Lauderdale County residents. This number includes both first and second doses.

COVID-19 case and death numbers for local counties are listed below.

Clarke County: seven new cases; 1,655 total cases. No additional deaths; 69 total deaths since March.

Newton County: five new cases; 2,178 total cases. No additional deaths; 51 total deaths since March.

Kemper County: one new case; 881 total cases. No additional deaths; 22 total deaths since March.

Neshoba County: five new cases; 3,701 total cases. No additional deaths; 165 total deaths since March.

MSDH presumed that 253,140 people in Mississippi had recovered from COVID-19 as of Feb. 8. The department also reported that there are 113 ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term-care facilities.

COVID-19 data for Mississippi counties

County	Total Cases	Total Deaths
Adams	2292	74
Alcorn	2884	59
Amite	1092	32
Attala	2052	69
Benton	920	24
Bolivar	4509	116
Calhoun	1545	26
Carroll	1157	23
Chickasaw	1994	50
Choctaw	692	15
Claiborne	972	29
Clarke	1655	69
Clay	1763	46
Coahoma	2707	65
Copiah	2712	56
Covington	2417	75
De Soto	19234	226
Forrest	6870	135
Franklin	747	19
George	2261	44
Greene	1234	32
Grenada	2422	74
Hancock	3320	72
Harrison	16117	258
Hinds	18476	377
Holmes	1795	69
Humphreys	902	26
Issaquena	167	6
Itawamba	2870	71
Jackson	12206	213
Jasper	2060	41
Jefferson	607	26
Jefferson Davis	982	31
Jones	7691	139
Kemper	881	22
Lafayette	5658	110
Lamar	5638	75
Lauderdale	6659	219
Lawrence	1172	19
Leake	2496	69
Lee	9575	158
Leflore	3314	117
Lincoln	3388	99
Lowndes	5942	137
Madison	9307	189
Marion	2467	77
Marshall	3921	90
Monroe	3948	123
Montgomery	1188	37
Neshoba	3701	165
Newton	2178	51
Noxubee	1212	29
Oktibbeha	4354	90
Panola	4203	89
Pearl River	3969	123
Perry	1155	33
Pike	2947	90
Pontotoc	4028	66
Prentiss	2665	58
Quitman	761	14
Rankin	12413	253
Scott	2886	66
Sharkey	488	17
Simpson	2621	78
Smith	1480	28
Stone	1680	28
Sunflower	3130	84
Tallahatchie	1676	39
Tate	2958	70
Tippah	2713	64
Tishomingo	2089	64
Tunica	968	23
Union	3873	72
Walthall	1227	39
Warren	4061	113
Washington	5115	126
Wayne	2462	40
Webster	1066	28
Wilkinson	617	26
Winston	2188	74
Yalobusha	1408	36
Yazoo	2810	60
Total	287,980	6,464