As Governor Hutchinson continues to plead with Arkansas residents to get vaccinated, the state announces 1987 new cases on Friday. This is the most new cases since Feb 4th 2021.

Active cases increased to 13784 statewide. An additional 6 deaths were also reported.

Hospitalizations increased by 22 to 871. Hospitalizations have tripled in the last 30 days.  Patients on ventilators increased to 159.

Active cases reported by county:
Baxter 431 cases
Clay 69 cases
Craighead 556 cases
Fulton 69 cases
Greene 210 cases
Independence 218 cases
Izard 100 cases
Jackson 50 cases
Lawrence 56 cases
Randolph 47 cases
Sharp 84 cases

All Arkansans age 12 or older are now eligible to receive the vaccine.

To protect yourself and others, the ADH recommends:

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• Practice physical distancing. Avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick, by keeping at least 6 feet between you and others.
• If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or develop a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, seek testing. Testing is available in many locations, including ADH Local Health Units.
• Wear a face covering when you are exposed to non-household members and physical distancing cannot be assured. Click here to read the requirements.

ACHI BOARD URGES RENEWED VIGILANCE AGAINST COVID-19 AMID RISE OF DELTA VARIANT, LOW VACCINATION RATE IN STATE

Panel Advises Vaccination, Return of Precautions Including Masks

LITTLE ROCK ― The Health Policy Board of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement issued a statement Friday, July 15th expressing alarm over the resurgence of COVID-19 in Arkansas and recommending renewed vigilance against the virus.

The board’s statement reads:

The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement Health Policy Board calls upon all Arkansans to redouble efforts to get protected from COVID-19 through vaccination and to continue defensive strategies including face masks in public, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing. Elected officials, private businesses, faith leaders, school and college officials, and community leaders must amplify the warning signal of the COVID-19 threat.

Arkansas is currently experiencing an escalation of COVID-19 driven by the more infectious Delta variant. At the same time, Arkansas is one of the least protected states in the nation because of low vaccine uptake. Together, these two facts are cause for alarm, and the result is reflected in the current rise in cases seen across our communities.

People who are unprotected because they have not been vaccinated should recognize that because of Arkansas’s low vaccination rate, whenever they enter a public place such as a grocery store, entertainment venue, church, or dormitory, they likely are around other unprotected people, and the virus is likely present. The unprotected should get vaccinated today to protect themselves, their families, and others around them ― especially because young children are not currently eligible for the vaccine.

For those who have had COVID-19, the antibodies developed as a result of the infection do not provide total protection. Some people have been reinfected after they have had COVID-19, and the Delta variant appears to be more likely to cause reinfections than the original virus. Even people who have had COVID-19 infections should get vaccinated.

People who have received only the first dose of a two-dose shot regimen ― the protocol for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines ― should be aware that new research suggests a single shot provides far less protection than two shots against the Delta variant, and significantly less protection than a single dose provides against the Alpha variant. These people should get their second shot as soon as the protocol allows.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated should know that while scientific evidence is still limited, reports suggest that the Delta variant may reduce vaccine effectiveness. With this variant surging, the fully vaccinated should consider reinstituting defensive measures they may have relaxed, including face masks in public, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing.

“This is an important call to action,” said ACH President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson. “As a pediatrician, I want to remind everyone that while adults can choose whether to become protected, children under age 12 are not currently eligible for vaccination and must rely on adults to act responsibly and curb the spread of COVID-19. And with schools and colleges opening in just a few weeks, we have a short window to make sure our children are protected.”

Thompson also said the public should be aware that the Delta variant may cause symptoms that differ from those that have previously been associated with COVID-19.

“Instead of the cough and fever that COVID patients typically have reported, the most common symptoms reported from the Delta variant are headaches, runny noses, and sore throats,” he said. “This means that infected people may not realize they are infected, so they may not seek testing or health care and may not realize they should self-quarantine. If you have cold-like symptoms and suspect you may have COVID-19, I urge you to get tested.”

ACHI is a nonpartisan, independent health policy center that serves as a catalyst for improving the health of all Arkansans through evidence-based research, public issue advocacy, and collaborative program development. Its Health Policy Board, consisting of 21 voting members and two ex-officio members, is an independent, self-perpetuating board that guides ACHI’s involvement in and positions on specific policy matters.