COVID-19 update: Task force wants to increase vaccination rate

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 following stats were posted Monday on the Arkansas Department of Health website:

• 259,120 cumulative confirmed cases, up 59 from Sunday.

• 122.29 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, up 2.72 from Sunday.

• 2,847,487 PCR test reports, up 2,853 from Sunday.

• 9.1% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Sunday.

• 70,888 cumulative probable cases, up 20 from Sunday.

• 16.2% cumulative antigen infection rate, no change from Sunday.

• 1,773 active confirmed and probable cases, down 172 from Sunday.

• 322,590 recoveries of confirmed and probable cases, up 245 from Sunday.

• 1,654,450 vaccine doses received, no change from Sunday.

• 971,620 doses given, up 3,706 from Sunday.

• 164 hospitalizations, down seven from Sunday.

• 28 cases on a ventilator, down one from Sunday.

• 64 ICU patients, down four from Sunday.

• 4,470 confirmed deaths, up five from Sunday.

• 1,131 probable deaths, up one from Sunday.

• 2,060 nursing home deaths, no change from Sunday.

• 8,434 cumulative confirmed cases in Garland County, up two from Sunday.

• 6.29 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, down 0.14 from Sunday.

• 110,660 PCR and antigen test reports, up 87 from Sunday.

• 83,706 private lab reports, up 88 from Sunday.

• 26,954 public lab reports, down one from Sunday.

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

• 26 active confirmed cases in Garland County, down two from Sunday.

• 8,203 recoveries of confirmed cases in Garland County, up four from Sunday.

• 1,590 cumulative probable cases in Garland County, up one from Sunday.

• Four active probable cases in Garland County, no change from Sunday.

• 205 confirmed deaths, no change from Sunday.

• 49 probable deaths, no change from Sunday.

The task force organizing the local response to the pandemic wants to increase Garland County's vaccination rate from the 14% of county residents who are fully vaccinated, according to a news release from Monday's virtual task force meeting.

"We are still seeing a reluctance of people wanting to come forward and get the vaccine countywide," County Judge Darryl Mahoney told the task force. "We reached out to every group that we can think to reach out to, and we are just not getting the numbers that we need to see in order to get a lot more immunized. We've got the vaccine available, and we just need some arms to put it in."

According to the release, 39% of county residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated. Vaccination appointments can be made at http://www.eastgatepharmacy.com/covid-19-vaccine-scheduler. The vaccine clinics are Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ouachita Professional Building, 1900 Malvern Ave. They're provided through a partnership between National Park Medical Center and Village Health Mart/East Gate Pharmacy and available at no cost to anyone who's eligible.

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs is giving vaccinations five days a week at three locations. Appointments can be made at http://www.chistvincent.com/getmyshot or by calling 622-6556.

The number of active confirmed and probable cases in Arkansas has decreased 60% since the end of February, decreasing 22 out of the first 29 days in March. Active cases have fallen by 94% from the Jan. 9 peak of 27,882.

Upcoming Events