The Arkansas Department of Health announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 238 on Monday.
The state announced 244 new cases on Sunday and 764 on Saturday over the weekend. The Saturday increase was the highest single-day increase since February.
Hospitalizations on Monday were flat, after increases on 9 Sunday and 14 on Saturday, bringing the total number of those hospitalized with the virus in the state to 361. There are currently 66 patients in the state on ventilators.
The state also announced one new death Monday, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 5,920.
There are currently 4,752 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods. This number has nearly tripled since June 7, when active cases dropped below 1,600 briefly. The ADH dashboard currently lists 218 active cases in Washington County and 232 in Benton County.
There were 1,199 PCR tests and 73 antigen tests announced Monday.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 351,825 since the pandemic began.
The state announced that 1,359 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered on top of 7,703 over the weekend, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 2,153,612. The state lists 224,995 as partially immunized, and 1,002,258 individuals as fully immunized.
Arkansas continues to lag behind the rest of the country in vaccinations. According to the New York Times, Arkansas is ranked 48th among 50 states with just 34% of the population fully vaccinated.
Arkansas is averaging 515 cases per day, or 17 per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. The state is currently ranked worst among states in the per 100,000 category over that time, according to the Times. Cases in the state are up 121% over the last 14 days, which ranks third worst in the country.
By comparison, Vermont - who has at least partially vaccinated 75% of its population - is only reporting about 2 new cases per day, or less than 1 person for every 100,000 residents. Case counts for that state continue to decline, and have fallen 54% over the last 14 days according to the Times.
All Arkansans ages 12 and older are currently eligible for a vaccine.
Those who need assistance locating a vaccine can call 1-800-985-6030.
The top counties for new cases on Wednesday were Pulaski (128), Saline (61) and Washington (41).
