Known COVID-19 cases in Sebastian County up more than 350% since July 2

Sebastian County led the state in new known cases of COVID-19 Tuesday (Aug.18). The county added 44 new cases, pushing cumulative COVID cases to 2,499 reported since early March. The county has 370 active cases and 23 deaths, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Pulaski County was second in the state for new cases with 40.

There are 50 patients in the two Fort Smith hospitals with 10 on ventilators in the intensive care units, said Rep. Dr. Lee Johnson, R-Greenwood. Johnson is also the medical director for Fort Smith EMS and Southwest EMS and a practicing emergency room physician.

“That’s about what it has been for several weeks for total hospitalizations,” Johnson said, noting there are fewer patients in ICU on a ventilator than in the recent past.

Between July 2 and Aug. 16, known COVID cases in Sebastian County were up 356.8% from 533 to 2,435. Active cases were up 54% from 257 to 396. Deaths during that time jumped from five to 22. Active cases in Crawford County were up 43.4% during the same time with active cases going from 106 to 152. Known COVID cases in the county jumped from 495 to 736 (48.7%). Deaths went from three to five.

Johnson said he believes the area will see a steady downward trend in number of new cases over the next three weeks, but a new increase will begin after that from the start of schools. Students return to school at Fort Smith Public Schools Aug. 24 and at The Future School of Fort Smith Aug. 26.

Baptist Health announced Tuesday it will open a COVID-19 testing site for residents of Crawford County and surrounding areas next week. Drive-thru testing will be offered from 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday beginning Aug. 25 in the parking lot of Baptist Health Family and Pediatric Clinic-Van Buren, 209 W. Pointer Trail. Appointments are required. To make an appointment, call (479) 709-6845 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, fever or nausea along with anyone who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should be tested, a news release said.

Those being tested must remain in their vehicles during the process, and it is suggested they self-quarantine until they receive the test results to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. To access lab results including those from COVID-19 screenings, patients can sign up for Baptist Health MyChart and download the MyChart app, the news release said.