The Arkansas Department of Health announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 1,703 on Wednesday, after adding 2,052 new cases on Tuesday.
Hospitalizations were up by 39 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 1,064, the highest number recorded since January. There are currently 209 patients in the state on ventilators, up four from the day prior.
The state also announced 12 new deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 6,099.
There are currently 15,801 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 is up by nearly 10 times the amount reported June 7, when active cases dropped below 1,600 briefly. The ADH dashboard currently lists 1,041 active cases in Washington County and 1,206 in Benton County.
There were 7,695 PCR tests and 2,149 antigen tests announced Wednesday.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 379,726 since the pandemic began.
The state announced that 10,846 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 2,312,144. The state lists 291,747 as partially immunized, and 1,051,134 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 36% of the population being reported as fully vaccinated.
Arkansas is averaging 1,609 cases per day, or 53 per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. The state is currently ranked third worst among states in the per 100,000 category over that time, according to the Times. Cases in the state are up 57% over the last 14 days.
By comparison, Vermont - who has at least partially vaccinated nearly 75% of its population - is only reporting about 28 new cases per day, or four 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 (207), Washington (132), and Benton (128).
