COVID-19 Update: January 19

COVID-19 numbers have continued to climb locally and statewide. As of today, Wednesday, January 19, there are 492 active cases in Baxter County, and 27 COVID-19 patients are admitted at Baxter Regional, with 6 in ICU and 2 on ventilators. A record high of 88 Baxter Regional employees have active COVID-19, and all of those employees are at home and in isolation, per our COVID-19 policy.

Our staff is exhausted from the demands of COVID-19 but continues to serve in extraordinary ways. We appreciate patience as we deal with staffing issues in multiple Baxter Regional departments and clinics the best we can, and we ask the same courtesy be extended to our schools and other businesses throughout our community.

There is a higher COVID-19 reinfection rate during this surge of the Omicron variant. Since the end of December, we have seen 40 reinfections of COVID-19, which is much higher than the 9 reinfections we had seen previously. We have also diagnosed 21 cases of influenza during this flu season, and 8 flu patients have been admitted to the hospital. The majority of what we have seen is Flu A.

The Baxter Regional COVID-19 Resource Line continues to be available at (870) 508-7001 as an easy way to access all COVID-19 services using just one phone number. Anyone in the community may call to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test, vaccine or booster, donate items for our staff, make a monetary donation to Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation or reach the COVID-19 Hotline.

Please remember that the very best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to get a vaccine if you are eligible and continue using precautions, remembering the basic 3 Ws: wash your hands, watch your distance and wear your mask.

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