‘High levels’ of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations continue be reported in Arkansas

New known COVID-19 cases again turned higher in Thursday’s (Oct. 8) Arkansas Department of Health report, with cumulative confirmed and probable cases topping 90,000, and hospitalizations setting a new record for the third day in row.

The ADH report noted 1,066 new confirmed cases and 1,265 total cases – those confirmed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and antigen tests – rising to 90,145. Hospitalizations rose to 547, a new record for the unfortunate metric.

“We continue to see high levels of community spread across Arkansas. While I see so many Arkansans doing the right thing by wearing a mask, keeping their distance, and avoiding large gatherings, I know that it will take everyone working together to defeat this virus,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a note accompanying the ADH report.

The ADH on Thursday also updated COVID numbers for public and private schools and colleges and universities. The report shows a gain in active cases and cumulative cases in public schools and colleges and universities. Following are numbers from the education report.

• Public schools (as of Oct. 8)
Cumulative active cases: 828, up from 747 on Oct. 5
Cumulative cases: 5,699, up from 5,299 on Oct. 5

• Private schools (as of Oct. 8)
Cumulative active cases: 57, down from 86 on Oct. 5
Cumulative cases: 309, up from 271 on Oct. 5

• Colleges and universities (as of Oct. 8)
Cumulative active cases: 369, up from 270 on Oct. 5
Cumulative cases: 4,664, up from 4,463 on Oct. 5

COVID REPORT – Oct. 8
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 85,980 known cumulative cases, with 1,049 new community cases and 17 cases in correctional facilities
• 4,165 “probable” cases, up from 3,966 on Wednesday
• There are 6,207 active cases, up from 5,908 on Wednesday
• There were 10,749 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 1,444 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours with 187 positives.

Deaths
• 1,359, up 22
• 144 “probable” COVID-related deaths, down 1

Hospitalizations
547, up 9

Ventilators
103, up 5

Recovered cases
78,405

The top five counties with new known cases reported Thursday were: Pulaski (84), Washington (61), Sebastian (60), Craighead (51), and Benton (48). The counties accounted for 29% of the 1,049 new community cases.

As of Thursday at 3:30 p.m., there were 7,589,353 U.S. cases and 212,466 deaths. Globally, there were 36,353,763 cases and 1,058,764 deaths.