While the number of cases of Covid-19 remains at low levels compared to the omicron surge earlier this year, cases are increasing in Arkansas, Carroll County, and the rest of the country.
\According to figures from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the number of active cases in Arkansas has doubled in the past three weeks ending May 9 from about 995 to 2,062. However, Arkansas was listed at 47th in the country in the number of new cases per population for the previous two weeks. Earlier during the omicron surge, Arkansas was often listed in the top ten states in new cases per population.
Carroll County has seen active cases increase from seven on April 26 to 13 on May 9. A day later, the ADH website listed only seven active infections in Carroll County. Slightly more than 6100 people have tested positive in Carroll County since the pandemic began, according to ADH. Nationwide, new cases are up about 52 percent in the past two weeks.
While some health officials predict another surge in the late summer or fall, no one knows for sure if the numbers will continue to increase or stay low. There is optimism that because so many Americans have either been vaccinated or have natural immunity from an infection (it is estimated 60 percent of Americans have had Covid), any surge won’t be like what was seen early this year with the omicron variant leading to the highest levels of hospitalization seen during the pandemic.
Dr. Dan Bell, co-founder, ECHO Clinic, suggests people take advantage of the current low numbers to catch up on Covid vaccinations and take care of healthcare needs and screenings that might have been put off during the height of the pandemic.
“There is definitely a slow but steady increase, not just locally, but nationwide,” Bell said. “It is clear that is what is happening. Still the numbers are very, very low. The advice at this time is get caught up with vaccinations and boosters. Be on guard if you are in situations where there could be some risk. Don’t be afraid to put your mask on. There will still be conditions where you should mask up like flying in an airplane or in a healthcare setting. Otherwise, it is safe to carry on with life as usual.”
Some people might be putting off boosters because Covid rates are so low right now. But concerns have been raised that the free vaccinations might not be as available in the fall.
“A current impasse in Congress threatens continued funding for Covid-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines,” states a press release from the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation that concentrates on healthcare issues. “The White House asked Congress for an additional $22.5 billion to support domestic and global Covid-19 efforts. During the recent negotiations to fund the federal government for FY 2022, Congress reduced this amount to $15.6 billion and it was subsequently stripped from the final bill. Without additional resources, the White House has said that several programs will need to be discontinued, including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Covid-19 Uninsured Program, established to reimburse health care providers for the costs of delivering Covid-19 testing and treatment services and administering vaccines to those who are uninsured.
“…In addition, the federal government has said it does not have funding to purchase additional Covid-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines once current supplies run out, and that it does not currently have a sufficient supply for vaccines to cover fourth doses. …The lack of additional Covid-19 funding has broad implications for access to these services, particularly for people who are uninsured, and could undermine efforts to ensure equitable access to these resources.”
Bell recommends if folks are due for their booster, this is a good time to have it. Those could provide protection until new vaccines providing better protection for new variants are expected to be available in the fall.