Garland County’s metrics continued at the same rate as the past month for the week of April 24 – May 1, 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.
Last week there were 21 reported new cases, compared to the previous weeks’ 12 and 16. There were 548 reported tests, for a positivity rate of 3.8%, compared to previous weeks’ 3.7% and 5.3%. Active cases in the county decreased by two to 29, as of Monday morning. Active cases have remained “in the same, narrow range the county has seen since mid-March,” said Shelby. There were no COVID-related deaths recorded.
Representatives from CHI St. Vincent and National Park Medical Center reported there was only one hospitalized COVID-19 patient.
“Arkansas, as a whole, seems to be having a leveling of what the Health Department has described as a ‘bump’ of new and active cases. Hopefully, these trends will continue,” Shelby said.