There are only 8 ICU beds available in the entire state of Arkansas as COVID-19 spikes
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Arkansas only has a total of eight ICU hospital beds left available in the entire state amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
According to data released by the Arkansas Department of Health, the state reported a record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations Monday.
Hospitalizations rose by 103 patients, bringing the total number to 1,376. At least 515 of them are in intensive care, where more than half are on ventilators.
"Today's report shows some very startling numbers. We saw the largest single-day increase in hospitalizations and have eclipsed our previous high of COVID hospitalizations," Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson tweeted.
The Republican added, "There are currently only eight ICU beds available in the state. Vaccinations reduce hospitalizations."
Arkansas has lagged behind the nation in vaccinating its population. Just 42.9% of people in Arkansas, age 12 and up, are fully vaccinated, per state health authorities. Nationally, the average is 58.7%, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Sunday, the state's seven-day average of new cases was 2,351, up 24% from the previous two weeks and the highest tally since January.
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