Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas have increased by 3,549.
Hospitalizations were up by 38, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 1,410.
There are currently 331 patients in the state on ventilators, up five since Wednesday.
The state also announced 16 new deaths on Thursday, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 6,581.
There are currently 24,787 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods. The ADH dashboard currently lists 2,259 active cases in Washington County and 1,855 in Benton County.
Fayetteville Public Schools have begun reporting COVID-19 cases in their district as well. The district on Thursday announced nine new positive cases, for a total of 66 positive cases currently active in the schools. There are 174 students currently in quarantine, and 17 of those are quarantining due to probable close contact in schools. The district announced one new positive case among staff, for a total of 19 active positive staff cases. Fourteen staff members are currently in quarantine or isolation, according to the district's dashboard.
There were 11,030 PCR tests and 2,519 antigen tests announced Thursday.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 429,100 since the pandemic began.
The top counties for new cases on Thursday were Washington (466), Garland (262), and Benton (243).
The state announced that 8,776 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 2,556,215. The state lists 354,396 as partially immunized, and 1,145,097 individuals as fully immunized.
Arkansas is averaging 2,103 new cases per day, or 70 per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. The state is currently ranked fifth-worst among states in the per 100,000 category over that time, according to the New York Times vaccine tracker. Cases in the state are flat over the last 14 days, though this does not take into account today's large increase.
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.
