The Arkansas Department of Health’s (ADH) weekly respiratory disease report released Friday shows the intensity level has risen into the very 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 very high level. Last week the level was at the highest level of the high category.
For the week ending this past Saturday, Dec. 28, the ADH reported 34 new flu-related hospitalizations in Arkansas and 50 new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Two new deaths were attributed to the flu last week and seven flu deaths have been reported since Sept. 29.
There were 35 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 in 2024 in Arkansas due to COVID was 484.
Four 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 in each county for the week, but that report is not available due to the Christmas break for schools.
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