COVID-19 update: State sees most deaths in four months

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). - Image by CDC via The Associated Press
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). - Image by CDC via The Associated Press

As a service to our readers, The Sentinel-Record publishes updates released by the city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas.

The Arkansas Department of Health is no longer reporting confirmed and probable cases separately or updating its stats on the weekend. The following stats were posted Tuesday on the Health Department's website:

• 358,949 cumulative cases, up 1,476 from Monday.

• 979.14 rolling seven-day average, up 172.28 from Monday.

• 3,182,102 PCR test reports, up 5,057 from Monday.

• 8.7% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Monday.

• 2,738,380 doses received, no change from Monday.

• 2,190,420 doses given, up 5,551 from Monday.

• 606 hospitalizations, up 41 from Monday.

• 98 cases on a ventilator, up four from Monday.

• 240 ICU admissions, up 27 from Monday.

• 5,970 deaths, up 15 from Monday.

• 2,092 nursing home deaths, no change from Monday.

• 10,946 cumulative cases in Garland County, up 29 from Monday.

• 39.57 rolling seven-day average, up 0.14 from Monday.

• 123,156 PCR and antigen test reports, up 147 from Monday.

• 8.7% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Monday.

• 326 active cases in Garland County, up five from Monday.

• 10,354 recoveries in Garland County, up 23 from Monday.

• 266 deaths, no change from Monday.

The infection curve and hospitalizations reached late February to mid-March levels several weeks ago, but a significant increase in deaths had not attended the late spring, early summer resurgence of new infections and COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

But the 15 deaths reported Tuesday were the most in almost four months, signaling a possible return to the two dozen deaths the state reported on average during the height of the pandemic in early January.

Public health officials have said throughout the pandemic that deaths are a lagging indicator that rises after a spike in the infection curve. The state's rolling seven-day average of new cases has more than doubled since the start of the month. The 1,476 cases reported Tuesday raised the moving average 21%. The number of active cases has risen 230% since the summer solstice.

Officials have said the unvaccinated account for almost all of the deaths reported since late January, and more than 90% of the hospitalizations. According to a city of Hot Springs news release, CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs and National Park Medical Center representatives told the Hot Springs/Garland County COVID-19 Task Force Monday that they had a total of 25 virus patients, including seven in intensive care.

The county's infection curve has stabilized in recent days, tracing a flat trajectory after a steep ascent Dr. Gene Shelby, the county's health officer, described to the local task force as a "super spike."

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