Officials: New COVID-19 cases shifting toward younger Mississippians; vaccines on the way – Clarion Ledger

More promising news on the vaccine front: Moderna says its vaccine provides strong protection against COVID-19. Monday's announcement comes a week after a competitor, Pfizer, revealed its own vaccine to be similarly effective. (Nov. 16) AP Domestic

As newly reported cases of the coronavirus continue to remain at high levels, Mississippi officials said Monday that the demographics of those most affected is starting to shift toward younger people.

During a news conference at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Medicine, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Clinical Affairs Alan Jones said people in their 20s and 30s are starting to make up a large part of new cases, though specific data wasn't provided.

Vice Chancellor and Dean LouAnn Woodward said there isn't a pattern among those new cases, but there are more cases among college-age people who may be socializing more.

"We do believe that they have become more socially active," she said of college-age residents."But it is not a concrete pattern, because we have seen people who don't do anything of those things who have tested positive."

COVID-19 in schools: Over 9,000 Mississippi students, almost 800 teachers quarantined in a week

Cases inside schools have been on the rise and there have been outbreaks in some school districts, Woodward said. Officials plan to keep a close eye on levels as the state heads into the heart of flu season.

During a news conference Friday, State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs suggested more districts could be better off going virtual as several already have in recent weeks. Postponing winter sports may also be necessary to slow the spread, he said.

Several new treatments will be coming to the state within the next few weeks, Woodward said, including two vaccines.

Pharmaceutical company Moderna announced Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine has shown to be nearly 95% effective in clinical trials. That news followed on the heels of Pfizer announcing its vaccine was 90% effective last week.

Woodward said both vaccines could be available in the state for some individuals in just a few weeks. The medical center's network has the necessary equipment to store the vaccine safely and is prepared to help the Mississippi Department of Health with distribution statewide, she said.

An antibody treatment could also be available as soon as Wednesday. Jones said that treatment would be for outpatients only, as it's aimed at keeping people out of the hospital. Children as young as 12 will be able to receive the treatment, he said.

Contact Keisha Rowe at nrowe@gannett.com, on Twitter or at (601) 760-2483.

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Officials: New COVID-19 cases shifting toward younger Mississippians; vaccines on the way - Clarion Ledger