Dr. Gene Shelby, Garland County's health officer, told the Hot Springs/Garland County COVID-19 Task Force Monday that the county's case numbers continue to trend in a good direction.
"I think we can feel good about where we are and the direction we are going," Shelby, according to a city of Hot Springs news release, said. "But we need to continue to promote vaccinations in order to continue our progress, especially with the approval of vaccinations for the 5-11 age group."
Arkansas Foundation of Medical Care and Arkansas Department of Health will hold a free vaccine clinic Saturday at the Thermal Springs Fest Centennial Celebration. They're partnering to provide the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arlington Lawn. Those 18 and older are eligible for the free vaccines.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson won't hold his regular weekly press update on the pandemic this week, he said at last week's briefing. He's attending the Smart Mobility Conference in Israel and won't return until later this week. It's his first international economic development trip since the pandemic started.
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. Only the following stats had been posted Monday on the Health Department's website as of presstime:
• 516,386 cumulative cases, up 141 from Sunday.
• 433.43 rolling seven-day average of new cases, up 0.57 from Sunday.
• 4,274 active cases, down 306 from Sunday.
• 4,200,620 vaccine doses received, no change from Sunday.
• 3,208,377 doses given, up 2,092 from Sunday.
• 289 hospitalizations, down one from Sunday.
• 65 cases on ventilators, down eight from Sunday.
• 8,508 deaths, up 11 from Sunday.