Dr. Pirtle encourages masks

Friday, December 10, 2021

With active Covid numbers continuing to trend upward across the state, as well as in Mississippi County, Mississippi Count health officer Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle is making a significant push for residents to recommit to masks.

“We have a lot of people getting together and not wearing masks. That’s just a bad combination. Wear a mask and we can get through this a lot better,” Pirtle said.

She also added, “A lot of us believe we’re having a third surge and it appears that way. It’s still touch and go, but it appears as that’s what we’re doing. I’m seeing more young people, like in their thirties, that are getting sicker. We have to really watch our behavior.”

Pirtle also wanted to further encourage parents to get their children vaccinated. She said that the state’s average for 5-11 year olds is five to six percent below the national average.

“Our little kids are getting [Covid],” Pirtle said. “In reference to South Africa and the Omicron variant, their biggest outbreak is in kids five and below.”

Although there have been cases of the Omicron variant detected in fully vaccinated individuals, Pirtle is also still heavily supporting getting vaccinated and receiving a booster when eligible.

She added that the most severe cases of Covid, causing hospitalizations and the need of a ventilator, are still coming from unvaccinated patients.

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders reported 159 active cases in Mississippi County and a total of 7,414 have been reported across the state.

“With these numbers going up, it’s not an order, it’s an ask. When you’re out moving around, or in these stores, try to wear your mask. Because we don’t know what this other variant is all about and you don’t want to be the guinea pig,” Sanders said.