Flu cases in Arkansas showed a drop this past week in Arkansas according to the latest numbers released from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and five new deaths have been reported in the state. The Viral Respiratory Diseases Weekly Report released Thursday, which reflects numbers for the week ending March 14, shows the level is at a moderate level, or a six out of a scale of 13. Last week, the level was high, or an eight out of 13.
A total of 70 deaths have been reported in Arkansas this flu season.
The ADHs dashboard shows the number of hospitalizations for each county. Baxter County has seen 39 people put in the hospital with the flu so far this flu season. Marion and Stone counties each have had 10 people hospitalized. All of the other counties in north central Arkansas have had less than 10.
The dashboard also indicates how many deaths have occurred due to the flu in each county. Both Baxter and Boone counties have less than 10. All of the other counties in our area have zero.
The report indicates 35 influenza outbreaks have been reported from nursing homes or congregate settings this flu season, which is the same as last week.
The average school absenteeism rate for the week was 8.1%, down from 8.2% the previous week.
The report also provides the percentage of students absent in each county for the week. Here are the counties in north central Arkansas and their absenteeism rate:
Baxter – 6.20 (last week was 7.10)
Marion – 7.90 (last week was 7.09)
Fulton – 9.30 (last week was 7.93)
Izard – 10.60 (last week was 9.38)
Stone – 6.00 (last week was 7.51)
Searcy – 9.30 (last week was 8.13)
Boone – 7.30 (last week was 7.57)
Newton – 7.30 (last week was 7.07)
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