With COVID-19 cases still surging, Lafayette County is hosting another drive-thru testing site next week.

Residents of Lafayette County and surrounding communities can be tested on Wednesday, July 15, at the Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena located at 70 F.D. “Buddy” East Parkway in Oxford. The one-day event is being conducted by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Those who want to set up an appointment must be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. Those who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive also qualify for testing. To get a free screening from a UMMC clinician, people must either fill out an online questionnaire at http://umc.edu/covidscreening or call 601-496-7200.

The total number of cases in Lafayette County is currently 510 as of Monday. The MSDH is now offering a weekly county-by-county update.  According to the charts provided, the 18 to 29 age group has the most cases reported at 254 in Lafayette County as of July 11. The next closest is the 30 to 39 age group, with 69 cases reported; the 40 to 49 age group has 68 cases reported.

The Oxford Board of Aldermen are scheduled to have a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss potentially tightening up restrictions once more due to the recent spike in cases. From July 6 through 11, there were 106 new cases reported. A new single-day high was set on July 11 with 33 new case reported, coming off the previous new high set on July 10 with 27 new cases.

The cases being reported by MSDH do not include any positive cases from individuals who are not permanent residents of Lafayette County but are currently staying in Oxford, such as University of Mississippi students.