Case update: Arkansas COVID-19 cases increase by 3,566 over past 7 days

Arkansas COVID-19 cases increased by 3,566 over the last seven days, according to the Arkansas Department of Health website update on Wednesday. The increase is down from the 4,015 cases reported over the previous seven-day period.

This week's count averages to about 509 new cases per day in the state, down from 573 the previous week.

There are 6,332 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 5,972 active cases reported the previous Tuesday.

In Northwest Arkansas, the ADH dashboard currently lists 431 active cases in Washington County and 426 in Benton County.

Hospitalizations were down by 75 this week, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized in the state to 366.

State officials also announced 34 new deaths in the past week, bringing the total number of Arkansans who have died as a result of the pandemic to 12,729.

There are currently 19 patients on ventilators statewide, up 3 from last week.

There were 11,828 PCR tests and 8,852 antigen tests announced Tuesday.

The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 989,853.

The top counties for new cases over the last seven days were Pulaski (408), Craighead (242), and Benton (236). 

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 19% over the last 14 days.

The state announced that 7,035 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.