County sets record number of new cases

A record number of new cases was reported Thursday in Garland County, with the 279 new infections surpassing the 262 reported Aug. 19.

Active cases reported in the county peaked for the second straight day, rising 18% since Wednesday and 650% since Christmas. The county’s cumulative polymerase chain reaction-confirmed infection rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point for the second straight day.

A record number of new cases reported statewide Thursday raised the state’s infection curve for the 22nd straight day. It was the second straight day new cases reached record levels and the sixth time in 10 days a new record was set. The rolling seven-day average of new cases peaked for the 12th straight day, and active cases peaked for the 18th straight day.

Hospitalizations rose for the 14th straight day, creeping closer to the peak number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals reached during the height of the delta surge in August.

Sixty-seven people went through the drive-up COVID-19 testing center Harmony Park Family Medicine held Tuesday. The clinic will offer drive-up testing today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 301 W. St. Louis St. The insured are asked to bring their insurance cards. Testing will be free for the uninsured.

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. The following stats were posted Thursday on the Health Department’s website:

• 653,789 cumulative cases, up 12,990 from Wednesday.

• 8,197.14 rolling seven-day average of new cases, up 743.28 from Wednesday.

• 4,602,958 PCR test reports, up 20,867 from Wednesday.

• 10.2% cumulative PCR infection rate, up from 10.1% Wednesday.

• 79,346 active cases, up 8,214 from Wednesday.

• 20,266 active juvenile cases, up 3,406 from Wednesday.

• 564,842 recoveries, up 4,756 from Wednesday.

• 4,753,670 vaccine doses received, up 10,000 from Wednesday.

• 3,795,476 doses given, up 9,125 from Wednesday.

• 1,251 hospitalizations, up 66 from Wednesday.

• 170 cases on ventilators, up three from Wednesday.

• 351 ICU admissions, up four from Wednesday.

• 9,390 deaths, up 18 from Wednesday.

• 2,311 nursing home deaths, up one from Wednesday.

• 18,406 cumulative cases in Garland County, up 279 from Wednesday.

• 155.86 rolling seven-day average of new cases, up 13 from Wednesday.

• 177,495 PCR and antigen test reports, up 549 from Wednesday.

• 10.7% cumulative PCR infection rate, up from 10.6% Wednesday.

• 1,500 active cases in Garland County, up 224 from Wednesday.

• 16,472 recoveries in Garland County, up 55 from Wednesday.

• 434 deaths, no change from Wednesday.