LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas health officials on Saturday reported 36 more deaths due to COVID-19 and the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in the state has increased by nearly 40%.
The state Department of Health reported a total of 2,911 deaths since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows the rolling average of Arkansas deaths rose from 16.4 per day on Nov. 27 to 41.3 on Friday.
The health department reported 2,628 newly confirmed or probable cases for a total of 184,252 and 1,071 people hospitalized. The Johns Hopkins data shows the average number of new cases in the state has increased from 1,680 per day to 2,069 during since Nov. 27.
The true number of infections in Arkansas is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.