County infection curve sees few spikes

Fewer than 20 new cases were reported in Garland County for the 14th time in 16 days Tuesday. The 33 new cases reported Saturday were the most since the 56 reported Sept. 23.

The average number of new cases reported in the county during the first 12 days of October is fewer than 15. The daily average is slightly higher than 30 since the start of September. The county’s rolling seven-day average of new cases surpassed 100 in mid-August but has fallen 85% in the last two months, tracing a flat trajectory since the start of October.

Hospitalization rates the Washington Department of Health released for the Seattle area showed fully vaccinated seniors had higher rates of hospitalization than unvaccinated children. Regulators have yet to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 12.

From January to September, fully vaccinated people 65 and older accounted for 0.41 hospitalizations per 100,000 people. Children younger than 5 accounted for 0.14 hospitalizations per 100,000 people, and children 5 to 11 accounted for 0.06 hospitalizations per 100,000 people.

The data indicated fully vaccinated seniors have a higher risk of severe disease than unvaccinated children.

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 Tuesday on the

Health Department’s website:

• 503,822 cumulative cases, up 733 from Monday.

• 688.29 rolling seven-day average of new cases, down two from Monday.

• 3,989,989 PCR test results, up 5,334 from Monday.

• 9.3% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Monday.

• 6,806 active cases, down 83 from Monday.

• 1,717 active juvenile cases, down two from Monday.

• 488,741 recoveries, up 801 from Monday.

• 3,910,710 vaccine doses received, up 2,340 from Monday.

• 2,994,877 doses given, up 6,023 from Monday.

• 537 hospitalizations, down eight from Monday.

• 160 cases on ventilators, down four from Monday.

• 253 ICU patients, down six from Monday.

• 8,147 deaths, up 15 from Monday.

• 2,238 nursing home deaths, up one from Monday.

• 15,785 cumulative cases in Garland County, up 17 from Monday.

• 16 rolling seven-day average of new cases, no change from Monday.

• 157,335 PCR and antigen test reports, up 203 from Monday.

• 10.3% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Monday.

• 120 active cases in Garland County, down four from Monday.

• 15,286 recoveries in Garland County, up 21 from Monday.

• 379 deaths, no change from Monday.