CDC lowers county’s COVID infection level

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduced Garland County’s COVID-19 community level to low Thursday.

Personal preference and risk tolerance should inform the decision to wear a mask in areas with low levels of infection, according to updated guidance the CDC released last month.

The CDC updates infection levels Thursdays at 8 p.m. They’re determined by hospital beds in use, hospital admissions and new infections. The CDC raised the county’s infection level from low to medium March 17, an increase partially owing to the 216 new cases reported in the county March 11. But the Arkansas Department of Health said delayed reporting of test results contributed to the spike, as many of the new cases reported that day were from specimens collected much earlier.

As a service to our readers, The Sentinel-Record publishes updates released by the city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas.

The state’s COVID-19 dashboard showed no new cases were reported Friday, but the Health Department said there was an error in Friday’s dashboard update. The problem had not been corrected by presstime.

POLICE LOG March 24

Walmart, 1601 Albert Pike Road, reported a theft of miscellaneous food and drinks.

Gregg Stanley Chance reported a theft of a bicycle at Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, 239 Central Ave.

Patrice Luehring reported a theft of a cellphone at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, 2705 Central Ave.

Ricky D. McKim reported a theft of a maroon 2009 Chevrolet Silverado truck at SunBay Resort, 4810 Central Ave. E-Z Mart, 4600 Central Ave., reported a theft of money. Roy Love reported a theft of a catalytic converter from a vehicle at Walmart, 4019 Central Ave.

Walmart, 4019 Central Ave., reported a theft of shoes and multiple items of women’s clothing.

Travis W. Overkamp, SOS LLC, reported a theft of a trailer, drill, jack, socket set and tires at 106 Catalina Circle.

Robert Lee Maggard reported a theft of electrical services at 205 Washington St.

March 25

Brandon Bennett reported a theft of an orange 2008 Ford Bronco at 200 Hawthorn St.

SHERIFF’S LOG March 24

Bruce Fuller, AT&T, reported a theft of copper cable from the telephone box at 235 Massey Road.

Jasmine and Terry Atha reported a theft of medication at 186 Echo Point, possibly by a known suspect.