Arkansas COVID-19

COVID-19 hospitalizations reported Monday set a new record in Arkansas, rising by 31 to 1,371, according to the state Department of Health. The number of available Intensive Care Unit beds statewide fell from 44 on Sunday to 43 on Monday.

The report showed 1,268 confirmed and probable cases, bringing the cumulative total to 256,344. Deaths rose by 38 to reach 4,081. Active confirmed and probable cases fell by 1,958, to settle at 25,534.

With active confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases setting new records almost each day, it’s no surprise that more school districts are in high contact areas, and a record number of districts have more than 1% of residents who are infected.

COVID-19 hospitalizations again set a new daily record in Monday’s Arkansas Department of Health report, rising by 62 to 1,296. Available ICU beds fell from 58 on Sunday to 49 on Monday. COVID deaths reached 3,800.

Also on Monday, Northwest Arkansas hospitals reported reaching a record of 128 patients in their COVID-19 units. The previous record was 122. The region has been one of the hardest hit in the state by the pandemic.

Arkansas has hit a grim milestone in the coronavirus pandemic: a record high of more than 4,300 new COVID-19 cases counted in a single day.

The state had 2,785 new, confirmed cases of the virus Friday and another 1,519 probable cases, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Arkansas also recorded 1,185 people hospitalized with the disease and another 35 fatalities from it.

The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get sick don’t show symptoms.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson said the Little Rock hospital is adding new emergency department space in an adjacent parking deck and may double up patients in single rooms in response to the growing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

With hospitalizations and deaths continuing to set new daily records, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he is “not satisfied with the pace” of vaccinations in the state. He also warned that the state’s hospitals will be further stressed with infections from Christmas and New Year gatherings.

Coronavirus hospitalizations in Arkansas rose on Sunday to near their recent record high, as state health officials reported more than 900 new cases of COVID-19 and 41 more deaths linked to the disease.

The Arkansas Department of Health says there are 1,093 state residents hospitalized with COVID-19, 34 more than on Saturday. Those on a ventilator also increased by 13, for a total of 186.

Of the total 214,877 cases, with 908 of those cases announced Sunday, 21,454 are considered active, which is a decrease of 835 compared to Saturday’s numbers.

Daily COVID-19 hospitalizations set a record for the second consecutive day, and a report from the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement shows a record number of school districts in areas with high COVID spread.

The Arkansas Department of Health reported Wednesday that hospitalizations rose by 7 to 1,110, a new record from Tuesday’s record of 1,093. Total known cumulative confirmed and probable cases rose by 2,893 to 207,941, and active confirmed and probable cases rose by 537 to 22,516. Total confirmed and probable deaths rose by 38 to 3,376.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) on Monday reported 58 more COVID-19 deaths, with 20 of those being delayed from previous days. Arkansas health officials also on Monday received more than 24,000 Pfizer and Modern vaccines with more expected this week.

While legislators prepare to debate the issues in the 93rd Arkansas General Assembly, a more critical debate is already underway: How to conduct a COVID-19 legislative session at the state capitol?

Unlike the fiscal session earlier this year, legislative leaders are already instituting changes that will keep the session accessible to the public, safe for participants, and within the boundaries of their constitutional duties.

Available ICU beds in Arkansas fell in Friday’s report to 37, down from 46 on Thursday and well below the 73 on Tuesday, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Total cumulative known confirmed and probable cases rose by 2,878 to 197,421, and confirmed and probable active cases rose by 733 to 22,392. Total deaths rose by 27 to 3,139.

The Arkansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported 58 COVID-19 deaths, a new daily record for the tragic metric. The previous record of 55 deaths was set Dec. 11. Also on Wednesday, available ICU beds in the state fell from 73 to 64.

Total cumulative confirmed and probable cases rose by 2,306 to 191,504, and active cases rose by 84 to 20,774. Total confirmed and probable deaths rose by 58 to 3,074. Hospitalizations rose by nine to 1,079. Hospitalizations set a daily record of 1,088 on Dec. 2.

In what’s hoped to be a turning point for the pandemic, Arkansas began administering a vaccine Monday for the coronavirus. It came just hours after Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the state had received its first shipment of a vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Greg Bledsoe and four other health care workers rolled up their sleeves or exposed their shoulders during a press conference at the Arkansas Department of Health to get the shot.

New confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths reported Wednesday by the Arkansas Department of Health rose by 34 to 2,786. While hospitalizations and ventilator use declined, new confirmed and probable cases again topped 2,000.

Total confirmed and probable cumulative cases rose by 2,327 to 176,652, and active cases rose by 304 to 18,765. The number of hospitalizations fell by 17 to 1,064.

A report Tuesday from a coalition of Northwest Arkansas community and healthcare organizations said hospitals could be in a “tough staffing situation” if COVID cases continue to rise.

COVID-19 deaths surged by 53 to 2,713, setting a new daily record, according to Monday’s (Dec. 7) report from the Arkansas Department of Health. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the deaths are a “tough reminder” of the need to wear masks and follow other health guidelines.

Total confirmed and probable cumulative cases rose by 1,118 to 172,042, and active cases fell by 693 to 18,057. The number of hospitalizations fell by 23 to 1,053.

A White House panel says Arkansas remains in the “red zone" for new coronavirus cases and 88% of the state's counties have moderate or high community transmission of the virus.

The White House Coronavirus Task Force issued its latest findings in a report released Wednesday by the state.

The panel said Arkansas last week ranked 24th in the country for new cases per capita and 30th for test positivity. The report also said the COVID-19 risk to all Americans is at a historic high.

Arkansas' COVID-19 hospitalizations have been reaching new record highs.

The hits just keep coming. COVID-19 hospitalizations and patients on ventilators again set new daily records in Monday’s report from the Arkansas Department of Health. Total cases and deaths rose 38.5% and 26%, respectively, between Nov. 2 and Nov. 30.

ADH numbers show 1,063 hospitalizations in Monday’s report, a new record and up 33 over the daily record set Sunday. COVID-19 patients on ventilators rose by 16 to a new record of 201. Total cumulative known confirmed and probable cases increased Monday by 1,112 to 157,359. Total deaths rose by 32 to 2,502.

Arkansas health officials report more than 1,200 new cases of COVID-19 and 21 more deaths linked to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Authorities reported 1,030 Arkansas residents were hospitalized with COVID-19 Sunday, 20 more than on Saturday. The Arkansas Department of Health says the state added 1,221 confirmed and probable cases Sunday. 

"I think about the loss to so many families and the stress on our health care workers," Gov. Asa Huthinson said on Twitter. "We have a lot of work to do between now and Christmas."

COVID-19 hospitalizations and ventilations hit new record highs, and the number of school districts with high community infection rates jumped from 88 to 117. Arkansas’ former Surgeon General said the state is moving “into a bad place” with respect to COVID spread.