Despite statewide increases in new and active COVID-19 cases, for the third straight week Garland County’s metrics continue to be flat, according to County Health Officer Dr. Gene Shelby.
The Hot Springs/Garland County COVID-19 Task Force is meeting monthly and did not convene this week, but Shelby provided his weekly COVID-19 statistic update electronically to the group.
For the week of April 17-24, there were only 12 reported new cases, compared to the previous weeks’ 16 and 11. There were 326 reported tests, for a positivity rate of 3.7%, compared to previous weeks’ 5.3% and 3.3%. Active cases in the county increased by one to 31, as of Monday morning. There was one COVID-related death recorded, bringing the cumulative total to 510.
Representatives from both CHI St. Vincent and National Park Medical Center also reported there were no hospitalized COVID-19 patients as of Monday morning.
Shelby reiterated that COVID statistics are not as important as the trend line. “While we are holding steady here in Garland County, Arkansas as a whole is seeing an upward trend in both active and new positives,” he said.