Growth in new COVID-19 cases trending lower, but active cases rise

The week-over-week trend for new COVID-19 cases continues to trend lower in Arkansas, but hospitalizations and active cases were higher in Friday’s (Jan. 15) report from the Arkansas Department of Health. (ADH).

The ADH report showed 3,124 new confirmed and probable cases in the previous 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 267,635. Active confirmed and probable cases rose by 873 to 25,613, and deaths rose by 35 to 4,263. Ventilator use fell by 15 to 226.

Hospitalizations rose by 19 to 1,314. Monday’s number of 1,371 hospitalizations was a record. The ADH also reported 47 available ICU beds as of 2 p.m. Friday, down from 60 on Thursday.

“While we see nearly 1,700 fewer active cases than this time last week & continue to distribute vaccine doses across the state, we cannot relax our carefulness in fighting the spread of COVID-19. As we move into the first stages of Phase 1-B on Monday, we continue our march toward a healthier, safer Arkansas,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said of Friday’s report.

The state has received 275,000 vaccines since federal distribution began Dec. 14. Vaccines administered rose by 6,827 to 119,065, or 43.3% of vaccines received.

COVID REPORT – Jan 15
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 216,329 known cumulative PCR cases, with 2,096 new community cases and 44 reported cases in correctional facilities
• 51,296 probable cases, up from 50,312 on Thursday
• There are 17,933 active cases, up from 17,357 on Thursday
• There were 12,937 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 3,757 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours.

Deaths
• 3,525, up 30
• 738 probable COVID-related deaths, up 5

Hospitalizations
1,314, up 19

Ventilators
226, down 15

Recovered cases
194,855

The top five counties with new known cases reported Friday were: Pulaski (365), Benton (277), Washington (235), Faulkner (164), and Sebastian (163). The counties accounted for 38.5% of the 3,124 new confirmed and probable cases.

As of Friday at 4 p.m., there were 23,475,380 U.S. cases and 391,098 deaths. Globally, there were 93,626,393 cases and 2,004,269 deaths.