Springdale has highest number of active COVID-19 cases; testing ‘backlog’ persists

Known COVID-19 cases reported Thursday (July 9) were the second-highest day since the pandemic began in Arkansas, with Springdale having the most active cases of any city and Danville having the most cases per capita.

During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Gov Asa Hutchinson said the overall positivity rate since testing began in Arkansas is 7.2%, below the 10% recommended as a ceiling by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said the rate may be lower, but a nationwide “backlog” in testing supplies is leading to fewer test results in Arkansas.

Known COVID-19 cases in Arkansas totaled 26,052 on Thursday, up from 25,246 on Wednesday. Of the 806 new community cases, 110 were from correctional facilities. There are 5,751 active cases. The number of deaths rose from 305 to 309. The number of COVID patients hospitalized in Arkansas was 394 on Thursday, up from 358 on Wednesday. There are 82 patients on ventilators, up from 79 on Wednesday. Of the known cases since March 11, 19,992 have recovered.

Of the 696 new community cases, 48.5% were from five counties: Pulaski County (104), Washington County (78), Sebastian County (56), Faulkner County (51), and Benton County (49).

As of Thursday at 1 p.m., there were 3,081,383 U.S. cases and 132,723 deaths. Globally, there were 12,118,667 cases and 551,271 deaths.

Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith said testing results show that the spread is moving beyond the populated regions.

“We really need to take efforts throughout the state. I know we have focused our efforts quite a bit on the Northwest part of the state, and then also I’ve drawn our attention to the central region of the state. But we need to be careful in all parts of the state,” he said.

The Arkansas Department of Health also reported the top 10 cities in Arkansas with the most active cases as of July 8. The report also provided info on the case rate per 10,000 people. Following is the list.

Springdale
641 active cases, with 79 cases per 10,000

Little Rock
414 active cases, with 21 cases per 10,000

Rogers
256 active cases, with 37.3 cases per 10,000

Fort Smith
255 active cases, with 29 cases per 10,000

Conway
203 active cases, with 30 cases per 10,000

Fayetteville
153 active cases, with 17.5 cases per 10,000

Texarkana
119 active cases, with 40.1 cases per 10,000

Russellville
116 active cases, with 39.8 cases per 10,000

Danville
96 active cases, with 398.7 cases per 10,000

Bentonville
78 active cases, with 14.2 cases per 10,000