Mississippi has seen a troubling rise in stillbirth rates since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent statistics reveal a doubling of stillbirths in the state, as highlighted by Dr. Richard Thompson, the State Health Officer, during a livestreamed press conference. He noted, “COVID poses significant risks for pregnant individuals and can be fatal for the fetus in the womb.”
Dr. Thompson indicated that Mississippi has recorded 72 cases of fetal death attributed to COVID since the pandemic began, excluding any miscarriages that may have occurred before the 20-week milestone. He emphasized that this figure is “twice the expected background rate.” Additionally, seven children in the state have succumbed to COVID-19. “These are tragic events that could have been prevented,” said Dr. Thompson.
State health officials have also reported a concerning trend of increased deaths among pregnant women, with over 1,500 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in this group since March 2020. “We are currently facing the Delta variant surge, and unfortunately, we have seen a significant number of pregnant women not survive COVID in recent weeks,” Dr. Thompson remarked. He is currently investigating eight recent deaths of unvaccinated pregnant women.
The CDC has been vocal about the urgency of vaccinations, with Dr. Sarah Johnson stating, “We urge all pregnant individuals or those planning to conceive, as well as breastfeeding parents, to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccines are safe and effective.” This is especially important as the Delta variant continues to circulate widely among unvaccinated populations.
Resources for Home Insemination
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Relevant Queries
If you’re interested in more information, check out these relevant queries:
- What are the risks of COVID-19 during pregnancy?
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In summary, Mississippi is facing a heartbreaking increase in stillbirths and fatalities among pregnant individuals due to COVID-19, underscoring the critical importance of vaccination to protect both mothers and their babies.