COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths rise by double digits, deaths approach 1,500

New known COVID-19 cases were lower than in recent days in Monday’s (Oct. 5) report from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), but the rise in deaths, hospitalizations and ventilator use elicited a response from Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

“Today we are reminded that more cases leads to increased hospitalizations. The number of hospitalized is too high. While it is manageable, it’s important to slow the spread of this virus to keep people out of the hospital because of COVID-19,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement.

The number of total deaths – deaths confirmed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test results and deaths ruled as probable – was 1,447, up 22.

The ADH also updated its report on characteristics among the active COVID cases. Following are some of the items from that report.
• Gender and Race
Female: 52%
Male: 47%
White: 52%
African-American: 18%

• Ages
under 18: 12%
18-24: 14%
25-44: 29%
45-64: 25%
65 and up: 19%

COVID REPORT – Oct. 5
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 83,698 known cumulative cases, with 367 new community cases and 25 cases in correctional facilities
• 3,732 “probable” cases, up from 3,707 on Sunday
• There are 6,186 active cases, down from 6,405 on Sunday
• There were 6,305 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 854 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours with 58 positives.

Deaths
• 1,299, up 21
• 148 “probable” COVID-related deaths, up 1

Hospitalizations
524, up 15

Ventilators
93, up 4

Recovered cases
76,204

The top five counties with new known cases reported Monday were: Pulaski (58), Washington (34), Sebastian (28), Craighead (33), and Benton (27). The counties accounted for 43% of the 717 new community cases.

As of Monday at 2:30 p.m., there were 7,312,444 U.S. cases and 208,403 deaths. Globally, there were 34,429,410 cases and 1,025,075 deaths.