Arkansas COVID-19 cases increased by 8,652 over the last seven days, according to the Arkansas Department of Health website update on Tuesday. The increase is down from the 9,494 cases reported over the previous seven-day period.

This week's count averages to about 1,236 new cases per day in the state, down from 1,356 the previous week.

There are 15,516 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 down from the 16,742 active cases reported the previous Tuesday.

In Northwest Arkansas, the ADH dashboard currently lists 1,035 active cases in Washington County and 767 in Benton County.

Hospitalizations were down by 18 over that same period, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 418.

State officials also announced 35 new deaths in the past week, bringing the total number of Arkansans who have died as a result of the pandemic to 11,678.

There are currently 15 patients on ventilators statewide, up one from the last week.

There were 22,028 PCR tests and 15,533 antigen tests announced Tuesday.

The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 897,760.

The top counties for new cases over the last seven days were Pulaski (1,286), Washington (581), and Craighead (466).

Arkansas is averaging 41 cases 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 18% over the last 14 days.

The state announced that 17,247 doses of the vaccine were given over the past 7 days.

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