COVID-19 Update: September 29, 2021

It is encouraging to see that active COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to trend down statewide and locally according to the Arkansas Department of Health. There are 74 active COVID-19 cases in Baxter County, and 42.8% of the population of Baxter County is fully vaccinated. There are 16 COVID-19 patients currently admitted at Baxter Regional. None of those patients are in ICU or on a ventilator. There are 4 Baxter Regional employees out with COVID-19, at home and in isolation.

Additional statistics from Baxter Regional:
. 81.3% of 16 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized are not fully vaccinated.
. 89.4% of 432 COVID-19 patients hospitalized since March 1, 2021, were not vaccinated.
. 84.2% of 101 COVID-19 deaths since March 1, 2021, were not vaccinated.

Due to the continued downward trend in active cases and hospitalizations, our hospital visitor policy was updated this week. Most hospital patients are now allowed two visitors, aged 12 years and older, at a time. Cline Emergency Center patients are allowed one visitor. In the Women & Newborn Care Center, a patient may have up to three visitors.

Baxter Regional will be hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Event at the Baxter County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, October 5. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., third booster doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines will be administered to those that pre-register at www.baxterregional.org/vaccine. First and second doses will also be available.

Those eligible for the third dose booster include individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18 through 64 who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 or individuals 18 through 64 whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19. To receive your third booster dose, you must have received your second dose six or more months ago.

If you are unable to register for and attend the booster event on October 5, please call the Baxter Regional COVID-19 Resource Line at (870) 508-7001 to schedule an appointment at a Baxter Regional clinic. There are also plans being made to host another community-wide event at the fairgrounds in November.

Remember that the very best way we can continue this trend is to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are eligible and continue using precautions, remembering the basic 3 Ws: wash your hands, watch your distance and wear your mask.

The Baxter Regional COVID-19 Resource Line is 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 monoclonal antibodies infusion with provider's order, donate items for our staff, make a monetary donation to Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation or reach the COVID-19 Hotline.

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