School district COVID-19 infections dip again statewide

According to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, 128 school districts in the state have had 50 or more new known COVID-19 infections per 10,000 district residents in the last two weeks, down from 175 in last weeks report.

Of the districts listed by the ACHI, seven have 14-day infection rates of 100 or more new known infections per 10,000 district residents. That number is down from last week’s report of 22.

Districts with 50 to 99 new known infections per 10,000 residents are identified as being in the “red zone,” while districts with 100 or more are identified as being in the “purple zone.” A color-coded map is available at achi.net/covid19.com.

Last week only the Bauxite and Glen Rose school districts were listed in the purple zone, but both have now joined Benton, Bryant and Harmony Grove in the red zone. Sheridan has dropped into the orange zone which is classified as having 30 to 49 more new known COVID-19 infections per 10,000 district residents.

Fifty-four districts statewide have dropped below the purple and red zone levels.

Seven school districts were added to the list this week as compared to last week’s six new additions.

The ACHI identified school districts with high infection rates by analyzing data received Monday from the Arkansas Department of Health.

According to ACHI, the infections are among community residents living within the geographical boundaries of the school districts and are not specific to school employees and students. Known infections include confirmed and probable cases.

Probable cases are based on verbal reporting and antigen test results from the ADH. Rates of new known infections in school districts across the state, as well as counts of cumulative and new infections, are tracked on ACHI’S web page.

Rates and counts are not shown for districts with fewer than five infections, to reduce the possibility of identifying individuals. School district counts do not include infections among incarcerated populations, in nursing homes, or in human development centers.

ACHI is a nonpartisan, independent health policy center that serves as a catalyst for improving the health of all Arkansans through evidence-based research, public issue advocacy, and collaborative program development.