Active COVID-19 cases in Arkansas set a daily record; tips offered for holiday gatherings

New confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Arkansas totaled 1,809 in Thursday’s report from the Arkansas Department of Health. The daily tally is below the record 1,962 set Wednesday, but the report also noted a record of 10,896 active cases in the state.

Total cumulative confirmed and probable cases totaled 128,006 on Thursday with deaths rising by 18 to 2,144.

Arkansas Center for Health Improvement President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson issued a statement Thursday calling on Arkansans to have a safe strategy if gathering with family during the upcoming holidays.

“The threat from COVID-19 is rapidly growing in all areas of our state. With Thanksgiving approaching, families need a strategy for how to give thanks but not invite COVID-19 to the table. Our board strongly encourages families to celebrate within household units – to avoid large gatherings and use technology to connect electronically – by telephone, Facebook, Zoom, whatever works. We want to celebrate and give thanks, but in a different way this year to enjoy many more in the future,” Thompson noted.

The ACHI also provided a list of recommendations for family gatherings.
• Limit groups to 10 or fewer, if possible.
• Anyone with cold-like symptoms (fever, cough, headache, loss of taste) should not attend.
• Safeguard individuals with the conditions noted in paragraph 3 above.
• Gather and eat outdoors if weather permits. If gathering indoors, open windows (use a heater if necessary) and turn on vent hoods to increase ventilation.
• Do not share serving utensils. Designate one person to serve the group while wearing a mask and gloves.
• Limit the length of the event.
• Maintain distance as much as possible and avoid close personal contact.
• Wear masks when not eating/drinking.
• Sanitize/wash hands frequently.
• For those staying overnight, maximize outdoor time, maintain social distance, and wear masks throughout the visit.

Link here for more Thanksgiving and other family gathering guidelines from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID REPORT – Nov. 12
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 115,228 known cumulative PCR cases, with 1,231 new community cases and 54 cases in correctional facilities
• 12,778 probable cases, up from 12,254 on Wednesday
• There are 10,896 active cases, up from 10,399 on Wednesday
• There were 11,164 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 1,740 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours with 346 positives.

Deaths
• 1,964, up 17
• 180 probable COVID-related deaths, up 1

Hospitalizations
805, up 4

Ventilators
116, unchanged

Recovered cases
102,355

The top five counties with new known cases reported Thursday were: Pulaski (154), Washington (70), Sebastian (66), Craighead (60), and Benton (58). The counties accounted for 33.14% of the 1,231 new community cases.

As of Thursday at 1 p.m., there were 10,457,240 U.S. cases and 242,248 deaths. Globally, there were 53,001,231 cases and 1,289,231 deaths.