After lower case numbers reported on Tuesday likely due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, new cases of COVID-19 reported Wednesday set a new record.
The Arkansas Department of Health announced that cases in Arkansas increased by 14,494, the largest single-day increase in new cases since the pandemic began.
Hospitalizations were up 113 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to an all-time high of 1,600.
State officials also announced 10 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 9,462.
There are currently 192 patients in the state on ventilators, up 21 from the day previous.
There are 95,378 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 7,779 active cases in Washington County and 6,813 in Benton County.
There were 12,890 PCR tests and 4,344 antigen tests announced Wednesday.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 702,483.
The top counties for new cases on Thursday were Pulaski (1,658), Washington (1,365), and Benton (977).
Arkansas is averaging 8,309 new cases per day, or 275 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 113% over the last 14 days.
The state announced that 5,034 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 3,831,001. The state lists 371,795 as partially immunized, and 1,530,622 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.
