Over 150 new Covid cases in SFC

The Arkansas Department of Health is reporting an increase of more than 150 new Covid cases in St. Francis County since Monday.

According to the ADH, St. Francis County has seen 6,279 cases of the virus since the pandemic began, with 151 of those cases added to the total this week.

Although the case numbers are increasing, the ADH is reporting no new deaths from the virus in SFC this week. Only one additional virus death has been added in the county this month, giving SFC 74 deaths since the pandemic began.

The number of people recovering from the virus has increased by 219 since Monday, bringing that total to 5,494 recoveries in SFC. The negative tests, as reported by the ADH, increased this week by 195, bringing that total to 46,162.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the vaccination rate in SFC has practically leveled off with 51.2% of those ages five and over being fully vaccinated. At the beginning of January, the CDC showed 50.5% of the eligible population had been vaccinated against the virus.

The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement reports 34 active cases of the virus in the Forrest City School District and 17 active cases in the Palestine-Wheatley School District.

The community transmission level, as reported by the CDC, is considered high, with health officials encouraging everyone to wear a mask in public, indoor settings.

On Wednesday, the state reported its largest one-day jump in Covid hospitalizations as the omicron variant surge continues. The ADH said hospitalizations increased by 113 to 1,600. The state also reported 14,500 new cases of the virus on Wednesday, which is a new one-day record increase, and 10 new Covid deaths were reported.