Arkansas COVID-19 Update: Hospitalization Rates Hit At 100, Bed Shortage Persists

Active COVID-19 cases in Arkansas rose for the first time in four days on Wednesday, with hospitalizations surpassing 100 cases. 

Arkansas Department of Health said per THV11 that the state recorded 2,890 new cases of the virus, bringing the overall number of cases to 455,781 since the start of the pandemic and raising the number of active cases to 22,814. 

The number of people hospitalized due to the virus has risen by 101 to 1,313 across the state, with 522 needing ICU care, a reduction of 9 in the previous 24 hours. According to the ADH data, there have been 31 fewer patients on ventilators in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 357. 

In the past 24 hours, Arkansas health authorities recorded 35 additional fatalities among COVID-19 patients, bringing the state’s total to 6,969. 

According to state statistics, patients aged 11-17 experienced the greatest rise in instances in the previous 24 hours, with 514 new cases, followed by patients aged 25-34 with 406 new cases. When the statistics for patients aged 10 and younger are added to those aged 11 to 17, there is a one-day rise of 906 pediatric cases. 

In the past 24 hours, more than 12,000 additional COVID-19 vaccine doses were given in Arkansas, bringing the total number of Arkansans fully vaccinated to 1,226,006, while the number of partly immunized fell 336,181.

Doctors inserting ventilator as the number of patients increase. (Photo: Michigan Medicine)

Hospital Bed Shortage Persists As COVID-19 Cases Continue to Increase in Arkansas

Arkansas Times said Governor Hutchinson also noted the continuing rise in new cases week after week, as well as a new high in the number of ill COVID patients on ventilators. 

The hospital bed shortage persists, although the overall number of people admitted to hospitals has decreased somewhat today. There are 531 people in ICU, with 19 beds available throughout the state. 

He encouraged immunization once again, citing the improved experience that people who have been vaccinated have when they do get ill. He also noticed a significant rise in the number of individuals under the age of 18 who had contracted the virus this year. This age group accounts for 30% of all current cases. 

He claimed that the rolling average of new cases and hospitalizations had flattened, if not actually decreased. The percentage of positive tests has also decreased. All of those indicators, he added, “offer optimism.” 

Pediatric instances are causing concern, including the increased need for neonatal intensive care for infants delivered preterm to women who have COVID-19. According to Health Director Jose Romero, all youngsters who are not yet eligible for vaccination, which is not anticipated until late this year at the earliest, should wear masks.