Case update: Arkansas COVID-19 cases increase by 3,646 over past 7 days

Arkansas COVID-19 cases increased by 3,646 over the last seven days, according to the Arkansas Department of Health website update on Tuesday. The increase is up from the 2,221cases reported over the previous seven-day period.

This week's count averages to about 520 new cases per day in the state, up from 317 the previous week.

There are 5,090 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 up from the 3,578 active cases reported the previous Tuesday.

In Northwest Arkansas, the ADH dashboard currently lists 419 active cases in Washington County and 396 in Benton County.

Hospitalizations were up by 25 this week, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 240

State officials also announced 37 new deaths in the past week, bringing the total number of Arkansans who have died as a result of the pandemic to 12,594.

There are currently 18 patients on ventilators statewide, up 4 from last week.

There were 15,338 PCR tests and 11,436 antigen tests announced Tuesday.

The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 971,876.

The top counties for new cases over the last seven days were Pulaski (411), Washington (303), and Benton (268). 

Arkansas is averaging 17 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 105% over the last 14 days.

The state announced that 11,080 doses of the vaccine were given over the past seven days.

All Arkansans ages 6 months and older are currently eligible for a vaccine. New bivalent vaccines targeting the original strain of the virus and omicron strains is also now available in Arkansas. Those who need assistance locating a vaccine can call 1-800-985-6030.