![Tyson Foods Plant [Photo: Food Manufacturing]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock_1185520857__1_.5e441daa51cca-600x337.jpg)
![Silverado Senior Living Management Inc. [Photo: Los Angeles Times]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/download-6-4-600x337.jpg)
![China's Wuhan Institute of Virology [Photo: Nature]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/d41586-021-01529-3_19239608-600x337.jpg)
On Wednesday, the number of active cases of the COVID-19 virus increased across the five-county area of South Arkansas, as reported by the Arkansas Department of Health. Specifically, Ouachita County had an increase of 10 cases, Union County saw an increase of 7 cases, and Columbia County had an increase of 5 cases.
The latest COVID-19 metrics were released for Lafayette, Nevada, Ouachita, and Columbia counties, as well as statewide figures for Arkansas.
In Lafayette County, there were a total of 1,465 cumulative cases, with 2 active cases and 1,432 recovered cases. There have been 30 deaths from the virus in the county, with the last death recorded on March 3.
In Nevada County, there were a total of 2,649 cumulative cases, with 14 active cases and 2,589 recovered cases. There have been 46 deaths from the virus in the county, with the last death recorded on October 9.
In Ouachita County, no new virus-related deaths were reported.
In Columbia County, there were a total of 6,558 cumulative cases, with 36 active cases and 6,402 recovered cases. There have been 120 deaths from the virus in the county, with the last death recorded on December 6.
Statewide, there have been a total of 972,465 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19. In the last 24 hours, 589 new cases were reported. There have been a total of 954,358 recovered cases and 12,603 deaths. Currently, there are 226 COVID-19 positive hospital admissions, with 32 in the ICU and 15 on ventilators.
It is important for individuals to continue following guidelines from health officials, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing, to help slow the spread of the virus. The data given are based on the release of the Arkansas Department of Health.