Current COVID-19 Update: August 4

Baxter Regional Medical Center continues to see a high COVID-19 patient census. As of today, Wednesday, August 4, there are 40 COVID-19 patients currently admitted at Baxter Regional, with 9 in ICU and 9 on a ventilator. There are also 32 Baxter Regional employees out with COVID-19, at home and in isolation. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there are 404 active COVID-19 cases in Baxter County, and 34.2% of the population of Baxter County is fully vaccinated.

Additional statistics from Baxter Regional:
• 90% of 40 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized are not vaccinated.
• 89.1% of 258 COVID-19 patients hospitalized since March 1, 2021, were not vaccinated.
• 81.6% of 38 COVID-19 deaths since March 1, 2021, were not vaccinated.

The situation at Baxter Regional continues to be critical. Our ICU is full, with both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. The amazing community we are privileged to serve in has been pouring out their support to our patients and staff, through donations of snacks, dinners and care packages. They have also been praying for our hospital, staff, volunteers and patients. Groups will begin meeting outside Baxter Regional next week to pray over our facility and will continue to do so through the end of the year. This support is invaluable, and we can't thank them enough for these efforts.

We urge those in our community to please continue using precautions in large groups of people, wash your hands often, wear a mask indoors and get vaccinated. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. If you are eligible, please consider a COVID-19 vaccine. A list of all local vaccine locations is available at www.baxterregional.org/vaccine.

For more information and regular local updates on COVID-19, visit www.baxterregional.org/coronavirus.