The number of estimated active cases in Warren County reached a pandemic-high of 199 Wednesday as 14 new COVID-19 cases were reported. In all, the county has now reported 762 COVID-19 cases since the first case was confirmed in the county on March 29.

Mississippi State Health Department officials also announced another virus-related death of a Warren County resident, pushing the number of deaths connected to the virus to 23 overall. It is the sixth COVID-19-linked death reported in July.

Wednesday also marked another day where state officials reported more than 1,000 new cases statewide. Thursday’s report showed 1,547 new cases and 34 new deaths. The new cases also put the state’s healthcare infrastructure under increased pressure as the number of patients in hospitals, in intensive care units and those on ventilators remained near record levels.

Monday, as he was expanding the number of counties under increased COVID-19 restrictions, Gov. Tate Reeves urged residents to take this virus and the measures taken to slow its spread seriously.

“COVID-19 is spreading and killing in our state. It is not a hypothetical, it is happening,” Reeves said.

June has not only seen spikes in state numbers, but it has also been the month where Warren County has seen its largest numbers thus far, a measurement that has led local leaders to institute mask mandates both within Vicksburg’s city limits and areas in the county.

The city’s mask mandate, which went into effect Saturday will continue through at least Aug. 3, while the county’s mask mandate, which was installed Monday, goes through at least Sept. 8.

During July, Warren County has recorded 337 cases, an average of just over 15 new cases per day. That is by far the highest pace during the pandemic and accounts for 44 percent of all the cases reported in the county during the pandemic.

Claiborne County also reported Wednesday another virus-related death, bringing their total to 12. Yazoo County also reported a death linked to the virus, which is the county’s eighth. Claiborne County’s overall number of cases increased to 359, while Yazoo County now stands at 653 total cases.

Issaquena County Thursday reported 16 total cases with one virus-related death, while Sharkey County reported 86 cases. Sharkey County remains one of just two counties in the state to not yet report a virus-related death. The other is Benton County.

Sharkey County and Claiborne County are two of the 23 counties under strict COVID-19 guidelines, requiring masks to be worn when out in public and restrict the number of people allowed in group gatherings.