The Arkansas Department of Health’s (ADH) weekly respiratory disease report released Friday shows the intensity level has risen to the top level of the high category. The scale has three levels of very high, three levels of high, two levels of moderate, two levels of low and three levels of minimal. This week’s level is the lowest of the high level. Last week the level was at the lowest level of the high category.
For the week ending this past Saturday, Dec. 21, the ADH reported 32 new flu-related hospitalizations in Arkansas and 33 new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Two new deaths were attributed to the flu last week and five flu deaths have been reported since Sept. 29.
There were 66 deaths reported the past week by the ADH due to pneumonia in the state.
No new COVID-19 deaths were reported this past week. The total number of deaths this year in Arkansas due to COVID stands at 484.
Three influenza outbreaks have been reported at nursing homes or other congregate setting institutions so far this flu season.
The report also provides the percentage of students absent due to the flu in each county for the week. Here are the counties in north central Arkansas and their absenteeism rate:
Baxter – 8.36 (previous week was 6.66)
Marion – 7.34 (previous week was 6.62)
Fulton – 6.60 (previous week was 6.13)
Izard – 6.65 (previous week 5.25)
Stone – 4.64 (previous week was 5.57)
Searcy – 9.46 (previous week was 5.44)
Boone – 8.39 (previous week was 5.54)
Newton – 4.90 (previous week was 5.85)
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