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:
• 222,287 cumulative confirmed cases, up 1,490 from Tuesday.
• 1,403.29 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, down 14.42 from Tuesday.
• 2,302,494 PCR test reports, up 13,900 from Tuesday.
• 9.7% cumulative PCR infection rate, up from 9.6% Tuesday.
• 312,225 vaccine doses received, up 1,950 from Tuesday.
• 164,699 doses given, up 17,900 from Tuesday.
• 53,827 cumulative probable cases, up 1,030 from Tuesday.
• 19.4% cumulative antigen infection rate, no change from Tuesday.
• 20,391 active confirmed and probable cases, down 549 from Tuesday.
• 251,252 recoveries of confirmed and probable cases, up 3,014 from Tuesday.
• 1,179 hospitalizations, down 86 from Tuesday.
• 212 cases on a ventilator, up three from Tuesday.
• 388 ICU admissions, down six from Tuesday.
• 3,657 confirmed deaths, up 36 from Tuesday.
• 784 probable deaths, up 19 from Tuesday.
• 1,761 nursing home deaths, no change from Tuesday.
• 6,512 cumulative confirmed cases in Garland County, up 61 from Tuesday.
• 60.43 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, up 4.86 from Tuesday.
• 80,671 PCR and antigen test reports, up 661 from Tuesday.
• 59,994 private lab reports, up 614 from Tuesday
• 20,677 public lab reports, up 47 from Tuesday.
• 9.0% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Tuesday.
• 534 active confirmed cases in Garland County, down six from Tuesday.
• 5,822 recoveries of confirmed cases in Garland County, up 66 from Tuesday.
• 1,140 cumulative probable cases in Garland County, up 17 from Tuesday.
• 156 confirmed deaths, up one from Tuesday.
• 32 probable deaths, no change from Tuesday.
Garland County's polymerase chain reaction-confirmed infection curve rose Wednesday for the first time since Friday, but the rolling seven-day average of new confirmed infections was 45% lower than the Jan. 11 peak.
Dr. Gene Shelby, the county's health officer, told the task force organizing the local response to the pandemic that he's hopeful the county's infection curve will continue its downward trajectory, according to a news release the city issued from Monday's task force meeting.
Active confirmed cases reported in the county Wednesday were at their lowest point since Jan. 4 and 23% lower than Friday's peak.
The statewide PCR-confirmed infection curve has fallen 35% since its Jan. 11 peak. The 20,391 active confirmed and probable cases reported Wednesday were 22% lower than their Jan. 7 peak.
"We again saw a decrease in active cases across the state today," Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday in a news release. "This is the fourth consecutive day of a decline, and we have over 4,700 fewer active cases than this time last week. It's up to each of us to ensure we stay on this trend and defeat this virus."
Hospitalizations are also moving in a good direction. The 1,179 reported Wednesday were the fewest of the new year and 14% lower than the Jan. 11 peak.