6,000 new COVID cases and 22 more deaths reported in Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas — Arkansas reported another record-high number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 despite the number of active cases decreasing across the state.

“Another decline in active cases is encouraging. The increased hospitalizations are a challenge,” Gov. Hutchinson said.

The record was 1,819 hospitalizations, only narrowly topping Monday’s hospitalization numbers by two.

A total of 9,596 people have died in Arkansas due to the virus and more than 1.5 million have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Since January 1, Arkansas has seen roughly 150,000 new cases reported.

Key facts to know:

• Total cases: 762,401 (+6,016)
• Active cases: 79,687 (-4,539)
• Total deaths: 9,596 (+22)
• Hospitalized: 1,788 (-31)
• On ventilators: 247 (+24)
• Fully vaccinated: 1,540,846 (+1,501)

“Active cases are down by nearly 18,000 from last Thursday. Today’s decline in hospitalizations will provide some relief to our health care system. Our hospitals across the state are working tirelessly to ensure space is available for all who need it,” Gov. Hutchinson tweeted on Thursday.

According to Governor Asa Hutchinson, in his weekly press briefing, last Friday over 3% of the population in Arkansas currently has an active COVID case.

Although cases are high in the current wave, hospitalizations are far less in comparison, the governor said.

According to Dr. Jose Romero, while omicron may be less severe on an individual level, the breakout is “still very severe on a societal level” and poses a threat to our hospitals and capacity issues.