Case update: COVID-19 hospitalizations in Arkansas top 900 Wednesday, cases increase by 1,715


The number of new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 1,715 on Wednesday.

Of the new cases added today, 231 are located in Benton (84) and Washington (147) counties.

Hospitalizations in the state increased by 6, bringing the total number of Arkansans hospitalized to a record 901, with 88 of those individuals located in NWA hospitals. There are 143 Arkansans on ventilators.

Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson once again expressed concern about the increasing number of hospitalizations in the state Wednesday.

“Our hospitalizations again reached an all-time high today,” he posted on Twitter Wednesday afternoon. “This puts a strain on our medical teams and it’s never been more important for all of us to do our part. Thanks to everyone for making common sense & necessary adjustments for Thanksgiving.”

Deaths on Wednesday increased by 30, bringing the toll in Arkansas to 2,275.

There are currently 16,577 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods. The new cases announced today brings the total number of active cases in Benton and Washington County to 2,579.

The state reported 9,924 new PCR tests on Wednesday, along with 2,467 new antigen tests.

The new cases bring the total number of cases in Arkansas since the pandemic began to 137,617.

The top counties for new cases announced Wednesday were Pulaski (176), Washington (147), White (105), Benton (84), and Craighead (78).


Wednesday, Nov. 18

Tuesday, Nov. 17