Emergency leader out of hospital after COVID-19 complication

Posted: Dec 24, 2020 / 07:14 PM CST / Updated: Dec 24, 2020 / 07:16 PM CST

Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Greg Michel provides an update on the coronavirus and the state’s ongoing strategy to limit transmission, during the governor’s press briefing, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director is back home after being hospitalized three days.

Greg Michel was treated for pneumonia that developed from COVID-19. An agency spokeswoman says Thursday that Michel was released Wednesday night and will spend a restful Christmas at home.

The state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, has implored people to avoid large gatherings as coronavirus case numbers continue to grow.

The state reported more than 2,300 new coronavirus cases Thursday. Health care workers and some others in the state have been receiving COVID-19 vaccinations since last week.

Mississippi National Guard members have also been vaccinated.

Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Greg Michel provides an update on the coronavirus and the state’s ongoing strategy to limit transmission, during the governor’s press briefing, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Greg Michel, speaks about the continued statewide distribution of personal protective equipment to first responders during the governor’s covid news briefing, Dec. 1, 2020, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Capt. Brandy Lee with the Mississippi Air National Guard, withdraws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for injection into the arm of a Mississippi Air or Army National Guard service member who serves as a first responder, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines of the Mississippi National Guard, looks away as he receives a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in his arm, by a fellow guard member, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who serve as first responders and currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
A member of the Mississippi National Guard receives a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in his arm, by a fellow guard member, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who serve as first responders and currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
A Mississippi National Guardsman withdraws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for injection into the arm of a Mississippi Air or Army National Guard service member who serves as a first responder, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
A member of the Mississippi National Guard shows the box that contained several vials of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that were issued for use among Mississippi Air or Army National Guard service members who serve as first responders, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to the service members who assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Members of the Mississippi Air and Army National Guard Guard receive the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Flowood, Miss., Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. One hundred doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine were administered to both service members who serve as first responders and assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. Other guard men and women assisting with the testing and delivering of personal protective gear will receive their inoculations when more doses are provided. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Brig. Gen. Clint Walker of the Mississippi National Guard, looks away as he receives a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in his arm, by a fellow guard member, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who serve as first responders and currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi Air Guard Tech. Sgt. Exstrella Smith withdraws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for injection into the arm of a Mississippi Air or Army National Guard service member who serves as a first responder, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
A member of the Mississippi National Guard receives a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in his arm, by a fellow guard member, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Flowood, Miss. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who serve as first responders and currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Maj. Michael Childress receives a bandage from Sgt. Christian Minor after being inoculated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Mississippi National Guard’s 172d Airlift Wing facility in Flowood, Miss., Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. One hundred doses of the vaccine were administered to both Mississippi Air and Army National Guard service members who serve as first responders and currently assist with the administering of the COVID-19 test at Mississippi Department of Health drive through community testing sites across the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)