FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Health announced that COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 178 on Friday.
The state also no new deaths as a result of the virus for the first time since November. One death was removed from the toll, bringing the total number of deaths in the state as a result of the pandemic to 5,661.
Hospitalizations increased by 19, bringing the total number of Arkansans hospitalized in the state to 160. There are 23 patients on ventilators, no change from Thursday.
There are currently 1,732 cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods.
The state reported 3,692 new PCR tests on Friday, along with 673 new antigen tests.
The new cases bring the total cumulative count in Arkansas to 331,882 since the pandemic began.
The top counties for new cases on Friday were Benton (30), Washington (28), and Pulaski (20).
Vaccine update
The state announced that 32,978 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered since last count yesterday, bringing the total number of doses given by the state to 1,362,371. The state lists 358,454 individuals as partially immunized, and 523,894 individuals as fully immunized.
The governor last week announced that all Arkansans 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine.
Local pharmacies, including Collier Drug, Medical Arts Pharmacy, and Heartland Pharmacy in Fayetteville are working to vaccinate Arkansans now, as are several Walmart and Sam’s Club locations around the state.
Vaccination clinics are also taking place around the region, including at Washington Regional, Northwest Health, and Mercy in Springdale.
The NWA Council this week announced plans for weekly vaccine clinics in Washington and Benton Counties.
UAMS is also now giving vaccine at their Fayetteville facility.
Collier Drug also announced a handful of vaccine clinics coming up in Washington and Benton Counties.
Also this week, Walmart will be administering one-dose J&J vaccines at St. James Baptist Church on Sunday from noon until 4 p.m.t
