Case update: Arkansas COVID-19 cases increase by 9,494 over past 7 days, hospitalizations rise


Arkansas COVID-19 cases increased by 9,494 over the last seven days, according to the Arkansas Department of Health website update on Tuesday. The increase is down from the 10,542 cases reported over the previous seven-day period.

This week's count averages to about 1,356 new cases per day in the state, down from 1,506 the previous week.

There are 16,742 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods. That number is up from the 14,795 active cases reported the previous Tuesday.

In Northwest Arkansas, the ADH dashboard currently lists 1,063 active cases in Washington County and 879 in Benton County.

Hospitalizations were up by 99 over that same period, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 436.

State officials also announced 33 new deaths in the past week, bringing the total number of Arkansans who have died as a result of the pandemic to 11,643.

There are currently 14 patients on ventilators statewide, up 1 from the last week.

There were 22,626 PCR tests and 17,058 antigen tests announced Tuesday.

The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 889,108.

The top counties for new cases over the last seven days were Pulaski (1,411), Washington (612), and Craighead (494).

Arkansas is averaging 45 cases 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 52% over the last 14 days.

The state announced that 16,469 doses of the vaccine were given over the past 7 days.

All Arkansans ages 6 months old or and older are currently eligible for a vaccine. Those who need assistance locating a vaccine can call 1-800-985-6030.