Arkansas set a new daily record on Thursday when the number of new reported cases increased by 4,978 on Thursday. It's the highest number of new cases announced in a single day since the pandemic began.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced 18 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 9,131.
Hospitalizations were flat Thursday, with the total number of patients hospitalized in the state remaining steady at 585.
There are currently 104 patients in the state on ventilators, down six from the day previous.
There are 18,644 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 562,529 since the pandemic began.
Top counties for new cases in the state Tuesday included Pulaski (1,158), Craighead (439), and Faulkner (283).
Arkansas is averaging 1,660 new cases per day, or 55 per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. According to the New York Times COVID-19 tracker, cases in the state are up by 130 percent over the last 14 days. This data does not include today's high case increase number.
The state announced that 9,625 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 3,694,614. The state lists 352,512 as partially immunized, and 1,504,510 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.
