The Arkansas Department of Health announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 10,974 on Wednesday, the highest single-day increase since the pandemic began.

Active cases also reached an all time hight at 71,134 Wednesday.

State officials also announced 14 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 9,372.

Hospitalizations were up by 37 bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 1,185.

There are currently 167 patients in the state on ventilators, up 4 from the day previous.

There are 71,134 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 5,117 active cases in Washington County and 4,451 in Benton County.

There were 15,051 PCR tests and 5,846 antigen tests announced Wednesday.

The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 640,799 since the pandemic began.

The top counties for new cases on Thursday were Pulaski (1,584), Washington (1,014), and Benton (701).

Fayetteville Public Schools are reporting COVID-19 cases in their district as well. The school dashboard on Tuesday, Jan. 11 showed 72 new positive cases, for a total of 196 positive cases currently active in the district. There are 279 students currently in quarantine, and none of those are quarantining due to probable close contact at school. The district announced 24 new positive cases among staff, for a total of 55 active positive staff cases. Thirty-nine staff members are currently in quarantine or isolation, according to the district's dashboard. The district on Wednesday announced it will pivot to online learning through at least Jan. 18 due to the rapid rise in cases.

Arkansas is averaging 6,956 new cases per day, or 230 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 455% over the last 14 days.

The state announced that 7,570 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 4,786,351. The state lists 366,295 as partially immunized, and 1,521,763 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.