Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson today announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 882 on Wednesday.
Hutchinson, during his weekly press conference held today in Little Rock, also announced 6 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 7,781.
Hospitalizations were down by 40, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 624. This is the lowest number of hospitalizations the state since July 13.
There are currently 173 patients in the state on ventilators, down 15 from the day previous.
There are 7,879 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 576 active cases in Washington County and 576 in Benton County.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 499,886 since the pandemic began.
Fayetteville Public Schools are reporting COVID-19 cases in their district as well. The school dashboard on Tuesday, Oct. 5 showed 3 new positive cases, for a total of 29 positive cases currently active in the district. There are 95 students currently in quarantine, and 41 of those are quarantining due to probable close contact at school. The district announced no new positive cases among staff, for a total of one active positive staff cases. Two staff members are currently in quarantine or isolation, according to the district's dashboard.
Arkansas is averaging 726 new cases per day, or 24 per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. According to the New York Times COVID-19 tracker, cases in the state are down by 47% over the last 14 days.
The state announced that 10,272 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 2,957,104. The state lists 288,852 as partially immunized, and 1,351,713 individuals as fully immunized.
The FDA recently announced it had given full approval for the Pfizer vaccine for anyone 16 and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals, officials announced.
The CDC recently announced a recommendation for a booster shot for those who received the Pfizer vaccine who are over 65 years of age, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and for individuals with occupations (teachers, health care workers, grocer workers, etc) that put them in close contact with the public. Here's more info on that.
Of the roughly 10,000 shots given on Oct. 6, Governor Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday around 50% of those are booster doses, roughly 28% are first doses, and the rest are second doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines completing the full vaccination process for those individuals.
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.
