The Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to infect people across the Golden Triangle.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the Delta variant is the predominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States currently, and unvaccinated people are most at risk of contracting the virus.

Mississippi saw 25,077 new cases over the past week, bringing its case total to 401,201 since the pandemic began as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health website. There were 207 COVID-19 deaths in the state in that span, bringing the death toll to 7,937. Since last week, 102 new patients were admitted to intensive care units due to COVID-19, with a total of 447 now in ICUs across the state.

No county or municipality throughout the Golden Triangle has reinstated a mask ordinance due to the rise in case numbers, even though the CDC recommends mask wearing as an effective prevention strategy.

There have been 2,402,499 total vaccinations administered to Mississippians, according to the MSDH website as of 8 a.m. Thursday. A total of 1,099,899 residents are fully vaccinated with a 34-percent vaccination rate, and 13,773 individuals have received a booster shot, a third dosage of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

According to the New York Times, Mississippi has the second lowest vaccination rate of any state in the country, but data shows vaccination rates are increasing in the state.

Lowndes County reported 647 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths this past week, bringing its totals to 8,439 cases and 156 deaths. A total of 43,354 vaccinations have been administered to Lowndes County residents with 20,372 fully vaccinated and a 35-percent vaccination rate.

There were 376 positive cases in Oktibbeha County, bringing its total case number to 5,797. Four new deaths were reported this past week with 102 total deaths since the pandemic began. There have been a total of 42,611 vaccinations administered. Oktibbeha County has 20,279 fully vaccinated (41 percent).

Clay County had 203 cases and one death reported over the past week, totaling 2,369 cases and 56 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Clay County has administered 13,372 total doses of the vaccine with 6,417 fully vaccinated and a 33-percent vaccination rate.

Noxubee County reported 101 new cases, bringing its total to 1,538. Only one death occurred in the county over the past week bringing its death total to 36. A total of 8,682 doses of the vaccine have been administered to Noxubee County residents with 4,257 fully vaccinated (41 percent).