Arkansas COVID-19 cases increase by 5,569 over last 7 days


Arkansas COVID-19 cases increased by 5,569 over the last seven days, according to the Arkansas Department of Health website update on Tuesday. The increase is down from the 5,897 cases reported over the previous seven-day period.

This week's count averages to about 795 new cases per day in the state, down from 842 the previous week.

There are 9,652 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 10,985 active cases reported the previous Tuesday.

In Northwest Arkansas, the ADH dashboard currently lists 632 active cases in Washington County and 471 in Benton County.

Hospitalizations were down by five this week, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 276.

State officials also announced 28 new deaths in the past week, bringing the total number of Arkansans who have died as a result of the pandemic to 11,964.

There are currently 19 patients on ventilators statewide, up six from the last week.

There were 17,654 PCR tests and 13,665 antigen tests announced Tuesday.

The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 942,925.

The top counties for new cases over the last seven days were Pulaski (752), Craighead (370), and Washington (355).

Arkansas is averaging 24 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 21% over the last 14 days.

The state announced that 7,974 doses of the vaccine were given over the past seven 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.