Covid-19 cases continue to rise

The number of new cases of covid-19 in Siloam Springs continued to increase last week.

There were 146 new infections in the geographic area of the Siloam Springs School District in the 14 day period ending on Dec. 14, up from 123 last week, giving the area a rate of 62 infections per 10,000 residents, according to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement website, achi.net. The cumulative total of cases rose from 1,263 on Dec. 9 to 1,317 on Dec. 14, the site stated Friday.

In the community of Siloam Springs, there were 143 new infections in the same time period, up from 121, giving the area a rate of 64 infections per 10,000 residents, and increasing the cumulative total from 1,272 to 1,335, the site stated.

Friday was the last day of school for students in the Siloam Springs School District before Christmas break. Classes are set to resume on Jan. 4.

As of Thursday, there were 33 active cases among students in the district and nine active cases among staff members, according to the district website. A total 238 students and 26 staff members were in quarantine after being identified as probable close contacts of a positive case. The cumulative total of cases rose from 169 last week to 200 this week, the site stated.

John Brown University students went home before Thanksgiving for a scheduled extended

holiday break and will not return until February.

Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab reported one positive covid-19 case among staff members in the 14 day period ending on Dec. 14, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

The nursing facility has seen a total of 60 resident cases, 34 staff member cases and 11 resident deaths since the pandemic began, according to the ADH.