Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Arkansas increased by 955 on Tuesday.
The governor announced 15 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 8,997.
Hospitalizations were down by 17, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 496.
There are currently 96 patients in the state on ventilators, up three from the day previous.
There are 7,571 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 545,037 since the pandemic began.
Top counties for new cases in the state Tuesday included Craighead (116), Benton (85), and Pulaski (74).
Fayetteville Public Schools on Monday, Dec. 20 showed two new positive cases among students, for a total of 13 positive cases currently active in the district. There are 78 students currently in quarantine, and 40 of those are quarantining due to probable close contact at school. The district announced no new positive case among staff, for a total of two active positive staff cases. Five staff members are currently in quarantine or isolation, according to the district’s dashboard.
Arkansas is averaging 769 new cases per day, or 25 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 8 percent over the last 14 days.
The state announced that 11,983 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 3,628,871. The state lists 344,178 as partially immunized, and 1,490,961 individuals as fully immunized.
All Arkansans ages 5 and older are currently eligible for a vaccine. Those who need assistance locating a vaccine can call 1-800-985-6030.
