Arkansas COVID-19 cases increased by 4,015 over the last seven days, according to the Arkansas Department of Health website update on Wednesday. The increase is up from the 2,990 cases reported over the previous seven-day period.
This week's count averages to about 573 new cases per day in the state, up from 427 the previous week.
There are 5,972 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 5,565 active cases reported the previous Tuesday.
In Northwest Arkansas, the ADH dashboard currently lists 428 active cases in Washington County and 384 in Benton County.
Hospitalizations were up by 136 this week, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 441.
State officials also announced 13 new deaths in the past week, bringing the total number of Arkansans who have died as a result of the pandemic to 12,695.
There are currently 16 patients on ventilators statewide, up 6 from last week.
There were 13,157 PCR tests and 8,907 antigen tests announced Tuesday.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 986,287.
The top counties for new cases over the last seven days were Pulaski (471), Craighead (281), and Washington (279).
Arkansas is averaging 19 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 10% over the last 14 days.
The state announced that 8,951 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.
