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Public health researchers on Tuesday described the rapid rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Arkansas as a “forest fire,” and the state’s top health official warned he expects major outbreaks in schools.
He model of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health projected a daily average of 1,039 new cases over the next week. The model also predicted an average increase of 169 new cases per day in children under 17 years of age.
Arkansas leads the country in new per capita cases, according to figures compiled by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. The state also has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, with only 35% of the population fully vaccinated.
“COVID is no longer on fire. It has become a rage wildfire which will grow in size and strength, “according to the UAMS forecast.” We cannot stand still. We must act to reduce the consequences of this new wave as much as possible. “
Dr. Jose Romero, of the state Health secretary, said he was concerned about the possibility of a “rise above that rise” when school begins this fall. Laws enacted this year prevent schools from making obligations facial masks or to require the vaccination of students and teachers.
“I look forward to seeing major outbreaks in the school system this year,” Romero said during a virtual discussion about the vaccination hesitation held by U.S. News & World Report. “What I’m already told is going to happen is the number of daycare closures that have occurred because of the outbreaks that have occurred and that there have been exhibitions and camp closures.”
Romero said the key to fighting these outbreaks will be for parents to stress the importance of wearing masks.
The White House vaccine coordinator was in Arkansas to meet with Romero, hospital leaders and other health officials outbreak in the state.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson earlier this month began holding statewide town halls with the goal of targeting people who have so far resisted getting vaccinated, and planned more forums this week. coming.
State virus hospitalizations on Tuesday increased by 28 to 815, with 313 in intensive care and 131 in ventilators. The Chancellor of the UAMS, Dra. Cam Patterson said the increases are reducing hospital resources.
“Our staff is very widespread at the moment,” Patterson said. “It’s not about finding beds, it’s about finding people to care for patients, whether they’re COVID-19 positive or not.”
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Citation: Researchers: A virus caused a “furious forest fire” in Arkansas (2021, July 20) recovered on July 20, 2021 at https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-07-virus-surge-raging- forest-arkansas.html
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