Case update: Arkansas COVID-19 cases increase by 1,000 Wednesday, active cases back over 5,000
The Arkansas Department of Health announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 1,000 on Wednesday, marking the largest single-day increase in new virus cases in the state since February.
Hospitalizations on Wednesday were up 16 after an increase of 55 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of those hospitalized with the virus in Arkansas to 432. There are currently 80 patients in the state on ventilators, up four from the day prior.
The state also announced seven new deaths Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 5,933.
There are currently 5,192 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 more than tripled since June 7, when active cases dropped below 1,600 briefly. The ADH dashboard currently lists 233 active cases in Washington County and 265 in Benton County.
There were 2,494 PCR tests and 921 antigen tests announced Wednesday.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 3,53,095 since the pandemic began.
The state announced that 5,289 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 2,162,217. The state lists 226,251 as partially immunized, and 1,006,100 individuals as fully immunized.
Arkansas continues to lag behind the rest of the country in vaccinations. According to the New York Times vaccine tracker, Arkansas is ranked 48th with just 35% of the population being reported as fully vaccinated.
Arkansas is averaging 530 cases per day, or 18 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 94% over the last 14 days, which ranks sixth worst in the country.
By comparison, Vermont - who has at least partially vaccinated nearly 75% of its population - is only reporting about four new cases per day, or less than one person for every 100,000 residents.
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 (146), Faulkner and Garland (75) and Saline (71).
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