ADH reporting fewer Covid-19 cases in region
400 shots administered at clinic
Fewer than 100 new cases of Covid were diagnosed in this region of the state over the past week, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
The ADH reports shows most of the new cases diagnosed last week in this region were mainly in Crittenden County, which accounted for 48 of the 89 new cases. That county also saw two additional Covid deaths last week, bringing the county’s total number of Covid deaths in November to nine.
St. Francis County added eight new virus cases last week and reported one additional death from Covid, bringing the county’s total number of virus deaths to 69. To date, the county has seen 4,865 people test positive for Covid.
The ADH report shows that 19 new cases were added last week in Cross County, eight in Phillips County and six in Lee County. No new virus cases were reported last week in Monroe and Woodruff counties.
The Centers for Disease Control has again changed the community transmission level of Covid for St. Francis County. Earlier this month, the designation was lowered from high to substantial, but this week, the CDC returned that designation to high. Community transmission levels remain high across the region with the exception of Lee and Phillips counties where the designation is identified as substantial.
According to the CDC, when the level is high, everyone should wear a mask in public, indoor settings.
The vaccination rates are continuing to improve throughout the seven-county region that in addition to St. Francis includes Lee, Cross, Crittenden, Philips, Monroe and Woodruff.
On Saturday, a vaccination clinic was held at the Forrest City Sports Complex, during which 400 people received either Covid booster shots, first Covid doses, second Covid doses or the flu shot.
The CDC report shows that in SFC, 52.5% are partially vaccinated, with 45.6% fully vaccinated against Covid.
Lee County continues to have the lowest vaccination rate in the region with 30.3% fully vaccinated. Crittenden County’s fully-vaccinated rate is also low, with the CDC reporting it as 39%.
Monroe and Woodruff counties each have a fullyvaccinated rate of over 50% of their eligible populations. Cross County is nearing the 50% mark with 47.6% of its residents fully vaccinated, and in Phillips County, 45% of residents are fully vaccinated.