Late reports elevate March death count

The 32 COVID-19 related deaths the Arkansas Department of Health reported in Garland County last month made March the county’s fifth-highest month for reported deaths.

The 54 reported in the county in August 2021 and 53 in January of that year ranked first and second, followed by the 48 reported in December 2020 and 37 in September 2021.

Thirty-one of the deaths reported in March were reported during the first three weeks of the month. The Health Department said many of the deaths occurred in February and January, when the omicron surge was near its peak. The Health Department said it classifies deaths reported 30 or more days after the fact as a late report.

The seven new cases reported in the county Thursday were the most since March 22, raising the county’s rolling seven-day average of new cases above three for the first time since Sunday.

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:

• 832,922 cumulative cases, up 107 from Wednesday.

• 102.43 rolling seven-day average of new cases, down 21.57 from Wednesday.

• 5,067,665 PCR test reports, up 4,528 from Wednesday.

• 11.6% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Wednesday.

• 1,137 active cases, down 54 from Wednesday.

• 166 active juvenile cases, down 12 from Wednesday.

• 820,319 recoveries, up 149 from Wednesday.

• 4,978,450 vaccine doses received, up 1,200 from Wednesday.

• 3,985,989 doses given, up 1,398 from Wednesday.

• 114 hospitalizations, down five from Wednesday.

• 23 cases on ventilators, down three from Wednesday.

• 37 ICU patients, no change from Wednesday.

• 11,230 deaths, up 12 from Wednesday.

• 2,372 nursing home deaths, up two from Wednesday.

• 23,261 cumulative cases in Garland County, up seven from Wednesday.

• 3.43 rolling seven-day average of new cases, up 0.72 from Wednesday.

• 196,948 PCR and antigen test reports, up 107 from Wednesday.

• 12.2% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Wednesday.

• 39 active cases in Garland County, up three from Wednesday.

• 22,710 recoveries in Garland County, up four from Wednesday.

• 503 deaths, no change from Wednesday.