With the continued prevalence of active COVID-19 cases in Garland County, County Health Officer Dr. Shelby is encouraging anyone eligible for a booster shot to get one.
The Hot Springs/Garland County COVID-19 Task Force is only meeting as needed during the summer months, but Shelby provides his weekly COVID-19 update electronically to the group.
For the week of May 29 – June 5, there were 52 new cases reported, compared to the previous weeks’ 54 and 37. This was the first time in the past six weeks the county did not have an increase in new reported positive cases, but Shelby said this may have been due to the Memorial Day holiday. Active cases in the county increased by 24 to 103, as of Monday morning.
“This represents the highest weekly increase since mid-January and the highest number of active cases since the end of February,” said Shelby. “As I have said before, this only represents a percentage of our actual numbers due to the wide availability of home testing. But, the trend is real and it definitely has an upward trajectory. I would definitely recommend a booster shot for anyone eligible for one.”
Representatives from CHI St. Vincent and National Park Medical Center reported having a total of four COVID-19 patients, one of which is in intensive care.
For COVID vaccines and booster shots, the Garland County Health Unit continues to administer the following COVID vaccines: pediatric (ages 5 – 18) and adult-dose Pfizer, the initial and booster doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson and booster doses for ages 16-17. No appointments are needed for these vaccines or boosters. The unit also continues to provide free COVID testing until 3 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and until noon on Fridays, but testing is now done by appointment only by calling 501-624-3394. There are also free at-home COVID test kits available, while supplies last.
There is also a vaccine clinic scheduled to be at the Cooperative Christian Ministries & Clinic, 133 Arbor Street, for Wednesday, June 15, from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Free COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines will be available for individuals aged 5 and up. Initial and second boosters will be available for those who qualify and have their vaccine card on hand.