Delayed reporting of test results contributed to the 129 new cases reported Monday in Garland County, the Arkansas Department of Health said Tuesday.
The spike coincided with more than 1,500 test reports added to the county’s testing total, a five-fold increase from the 230 added on average during the first 20 days of March.
“We’re currently adding delayed cases, which is affecting case number for some counties,” the Health Department said.
Monday marked the third time this month the Health Department attributed a spike to delayed reporting, which also contributed to the 216 new cases reported March 11 and the 111 reported March 5.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention elevated the county’s COVID-19 community level to medium last week, recommending people with high risk for severe illness consult with their health care provider about wearing a mask and taking other precautions.
The CDC lowered the county’s infection level from high to low on March 3. 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 looks at hospital beds in use, hospital admissions and new infections to determine COVID-19 community levels.
As a service to our readers, The Sentinel-Record publishes updates released by the city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas.
The Arkansas Department of Health is no longer reporting confirmed and probable cases separately. The following stats were posted Tuesday on the Health Department’s website:
• 831,698 cumulative cases, up 607 from Monday.
• 623.14 rolling seven-day average of new cases, up 26.28 from Monday.
• 5,039,752 PCR test reports, up 2,914 from Monday.
• 11.6% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Monday.
• 1,499 active cases, up 74 from Monday.
• 259 active juvenile cases, up 22 from Monday.
• 818,836 recoveries, up 520 from Monday.
• 4,953,250 vaccine doses received, no change from Monday.
• 3,977,105 doses given, up 1,374 from Monday.
• 139 hospitalizations, down 22 from Monday.
• 36 cases on ventilators, down four from Monday.
• 55 ICU patients, down six from Monday.
• 11,127 deaths, up 13 from Monday.
• 2,361 nursing home deaths, up three from Monday.
• 23,232 cumulative cases in Garland County, up nine from Monday.
• 30.71 rolling seven-day average of new cases, down 5.58 from Monday.
• 196,261 PCR and antigen test reports, up 107 from Monday.
• 12.2% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Monday.
• 32 active cases in Garland County, up two from Monday.
• 22,697 recoveries in Garland County, up six from Monday.
• 503 deaths, up one from Monday.
