Number of cases and deaths related to flu increasing in Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas – Health experts nationwide have previously expressed concerns about the potential surge of three viruses, RSV, influenza, and COVID-19, and have been closely monitoring the situation. Now one of those viruses is threatening Arkansans, as there has been an increase recorded in flu cases and deaths in the previous week.

Since October 2, over 11,900 instances of flu have been recorded in the state of Arkansas, according to a report that was released by the Arkansas Department of Health on Wednesday. This represents a one-week increase of 2,400 cases.

The number of fatalities attributed to influenza during the current season was reported to have reached 30 by the ADH for the reporting period that ended on November 26, an increase of 11 from the data that was given the week before.

According to the ADH data, the number of nursing homes reporting flu outbreaks increased to 13 from eight the previous week.

Based on this infection rate, the National Center for Health Statistics puts Arkansas as having a “very high” level of flu activity, ranking it at 12 out of 13.

Because only hospitalizations, fatalities, and outbreaks are documented, the ADH states that the number of cases that have been reported is just a small portion of the actual number of cases.

This year’s flu is expected to cause a total of 6.2 million illnesses, 53,000 hospitalizations, and 2,900 fatalities, according to the estimates of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.