COVID-19 Update: March 2

As of today, March 2, there just 45 active COVID-19 cases in Baxter County. There are currently 6 COVID-19 patients admitted at Baxter Regional, with 4 in ICU and 2 on ventilators.

Additional statistics from Baxter Regional:
• 50% of 6 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized are not fully vaccinated.
• 84.1% of 784 COVID-19 patients hospitalized since March 1, 2021, were not fully vaccinated.
• 81.9% of 177 COVID-19 deaths since March 1, 2021, were not fully vaccinated.

With the COVID-19 decrease in our area, most patients at Baxter Regional are allowed two visitors at a time, with the exception of the Women and Newborn Center, which now allows three visitors. There is no longer an age restriction on visitors. Visitors of known or suspected COVID-19 patients will be provided appropriate PPE including N95 mask, face shield, gown and gloves before entering a COVID-19 patient's room. Visitation of COVID-19 patients is limited and scheduled at their nurse's discretion.

Last Friday, CDC relaxed its mask guidance, using COVID-19 hospitalizations as a key metric is issuing public health guidance. Hospitals and healthcare settings are not subject to these new masking recommendations so regardless of a community status under the new metrics, local healthcare setting should continue to require visitors and staff to wear masks indoors. These metrics are available in CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

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, donate items for our staff, make a monetary donation to Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation or reach the COVID-19 Hotline.

We will continue to update COVID-19 numbers as needed online at www.baxterregional.org/coronavirus and www.facebook.com/baxterregional but will no longer be having regular COVID-19 updates on Wednesdays unless the need arises.