Case update: Arkansas COVID-19 cases increase by 570 on Friday


The Arkansas Department of Health announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 570 on Friday.

The state also announced 10 new deaths as a result of the virus, bringing the toll in the state to 5,283 since the pandemic began.

Hospitalizations were down by 13, bringing the total number of Arkansans hospitalized in the state to 359. There are 86 patients on ventilators, up 1 from yesterday.

There are currently 4,296 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods.

The state reported 6,421 new PCR tests on Friday, along with 1,200 new antigen tests.

The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 324,326 since the pandemic began.

The top counties for new cases on Friday were Pulaski (88), Washington (55), Sebastian (44), Benton (43), and Garland (33).

The state announced it has vaccinated 16,955 Arkansans since last count yesterday, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 653,245. In addition, a federal program to vaccinate long-term care residents and others at retail pharmacies resulted in an additional 2,547 people vaccinated in the state, bringing the total number of Arkansans vaccinated as part of their efforts to 53,454.

The state began vaccinating the 1-B priority group on Jan. 18. The group currently eligible to receive vaccines includes individuals over 65 years of age, workers in food manufacturing, and workers in education including higher ed, K-12, and daycare. Local pharmacies, including Collier Drug, Medical Arts Pharmacy, and Heartland Pharmacy in Fayetteville will vaccinate those in the 65 and older group, and some education workers. Others will be vaccinated through mass clinics organized by their employers.

Vaccination clinics are also taking place around the region, including at Washington Regional, Northwest Health, and Mercy in Springdale.

Here are links/info for the waiting lists for pharmacies in Washington County for the 1-A and early 1-B group:
» Collier Drug Stores – Visit this website
» Medical Arts Pharmacy – Visit this website
» Community Pharmacy – Visit this website
» Heartland Pharmacy – Visit this website
» Walmart / Sam’s Club Pharmacy

A list of other pharmacies around the state vaccinating right now is available here.


Case report

Vaccine update