EDITOR'S NOTE: As a service to our readers, The Sentinel-Record publishes updates released by the city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas.
The following stats were posted Wednesday on the Arkansas Department of Health website:
• 75,646 cumulative confirmed cases, up 874 from Tuesday.
• 702.14 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, up 38.28 from Tuesday.
• 906,947 PCR test reports, up 8,950 from Tuesday.
• 8.3% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Tuesday.
• 2,317 cumulative probable cases, up 108 from Tuesday.
• 26.5% cumulative antigen infection rate, up from 22.9% Tuesday.
• 6,777 confirmed and probable active cases, up 194 from Tuesday.
• 69,952 recoveries of confirmed and probable cases, up 768 from Tuesday.
• 468 hospitalizations, up nine from Tuesday.
• 1,080 confirmed deaths, up 20 from Tuesday.
• 149 probable deaths, no change from Tuesday.
• 90 cases on a ventilator, up two from Tuesday.
• 1,776 cumulative confirmed cases in Garland County, up 25 from Tuesday.
• 17 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, up 1.86 from Tuesday.
• 28,536 PCR and antigen test reports, up 402 from Tuesday.
• 23,801 private lab reports, up 83 from Tuesday.
• 4,735 public lab reports, 319 from Tuesday.
• 151 active confirmed cases in Garland County, up 14 from Tuesday.
• 1,581 recoveries of confirmed cases in Garland County, up 11 from Tuesday.
• 44 confirmed deaths in Garland County, no change from Monday.
• Five probable deaths in Garland County, no change from Monday.
The 25 new confirmed cases reported Wednesday in Garland County were the most since Sept. 11, pushing the rolling seven-day average of new cases to its highest point in more than three weeks.
The 151 active confirmed cases reported in the county Wednesday were the most since Sept. 7.
The increase notwithstanding, Dr. Gene Shelby, the county's health officer, told the task force organizing the local response to the pandemic that the growth in new cases following the Labor Day weekend hasn't been as profound as what followed Memorial Day and Independence Day.
The county's rolling seven-day average of new cases rose 93% two weeks after the Fourth of July holiday and 233% four weeks after the holiday. Wednesday's 17 average was 57% of the peak average, which spiked to 30 July 31.
"The numbers look really good, and we are starting to see a downward trend in some of the COVID categories," Shelby said at Monday's task force meeting, according to a news release the city of Hot Springs issued Wednesday. "I think we are in good shape, but we cannot let our guard down. We need to remember the importance of face masks, social distancing and the other state directives."
The city release said the Garland County Health Unit, 1425 Malvern Ave., received 60 antigen rapid-response test kits from the Health Department. The tests are reserved for symptomatic students and school staff. To decrease wait times, the release recommended calling 624-3394 before going to get tested. Free drive-up polymerase chain reaction testing is available at the local health unit Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 874 new confirmed cases reported statewide Wednesday raised the state's rolling seven day average above 700 for the first time since Aug. 11. The average has risen 14% in a week.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson released the following statement on Wednesday's case numbers.
"Today we are again reminded of the serious nature of COVID-19. Following the guidelines of the Arkansas Department of Health continues to be the most effective way to mitigate the spread of this virus. Wearing a mask, keeping a 6-foot distance and frequently washing your hands will help slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state."