Virus hospitalizations climb as classes begin

LITTLE ROCK — The state saw another record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state on Monday as thousands of students headed back to school.

As of Tuesday, the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement reported 182 school districts across the state have COVID-19 infection rates of 50 or more new known infections per 10,000 district residents over a 14-day period. That number was up from 140 districts a week earlier.

Of those 182 districts, 42 have 14-day COVID-19 infection rates of 100 or more new known infections per 10,000 district residents, or more than 1 percent of residents, up from 16 a week earlier.

“Infection rates in Arkansas communities have been increasing each week, and our soaring hospitalization and death counts bear out that we are in the midst of a COVID-19 surge driven by the highly contagious delta variant,” said ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson. “This week, only seven school districts in the state have 14-day infections rates of fewer than 30 new known infections per 10,000 district residents. With the start of the school year imminent, it is crucial that school leaders use every tool they have to protect kids: vaccination for those who are eligible, universal indoor mask requirements, social distancing, good hand hygiene, and increased ventilation.”

The state reported 46 new virus hospitalizations, bringing its total COVID19 patients to 1,459. That surpasses the record high the state reached last week.

The state’s COVID-19 deaths increased by 31.

There were 23,783 active cases reported in the state Tuesday afternoon, according to the Department of Health website.

Arkansas’ virus cases and hospitalizations have been skyrocketing in recent weeks because of the ultracontagious delta variant and the state’s low vaccination rate. Arkansas ranks fourth in the country for new cases per capita, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University researchers.

The hospitalizations spiked as the school year began for thousands of students, most of whom will be required to wear a mask following moves by dozens of districts after a judge blocked the state’s mask mandate.

“As many children across Arkansas head back to school today, I am praying for a safe and productive year,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has said he regrets signing the ban into law, tweeted Monday.

The governor has said he agreed with the judge’s decision.

There were only 22 ICU beds available in the state, the Department of Health said. There are 553 COVID-19 patients in ICUs around the state and 323 on ventilators.

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LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is currently offering a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to its moderately and severely immunocompromised patients.

The third dose option began Monday at UAMS.

Appointments are required. Under guidelines issued by the Federal Drug Administration, only patients who received the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and who meet the definition of moderately or severely immunocompromised are eligible for a third dose. The third dose should be the same vaccine the patient received earlier.

UAMS patients eligible for a COVID booster include: Those in active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies Transplant patients on immuno therapy Those who have received CAR-T cell therapy or a stem cell transplant Those with advanced or untreated HIV infection Those undergoing active treatment with high-dose pharmaceuticals that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.

Existing UAMS patients should contact their physician to see if they are eligible for a booster and to schedule an appointment.

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Charges filed against both suspects in Arkansas cop’s death

BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors filed charges Tuesday against two people accused of running over and killing an Arkansas police officer in June.

Shawna Cash, 22, is accused of hitting Pea Ridge Officer Kevin Apple with her car and dragging him after he approached the vehicle at a convenience store, according to court documents. Her passenger, Elijah Andazola, 18, was also arrested.

Cash was charged with capital murder, escape, fleeing, two counts of aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, criminal mischief, obstructing governmental operations and reckless driving. Andazola was charged with being an accomplice to capital murder and escaping.

Andazola’s initial arraignment on Monday was reset after Gregg Parrish, director of the Arkansas Public Defenders Commission, requested more time to find an attorney for him. Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green rescheduled the arraignment for Aug.

23.