LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Nearly half of Arkansas's adult ICU beds are being used by COVID-19 patients, according to Governor Asa Hutchinson.
The governor tweeted Tuesday that while the state increased available bed space to 17 ICU and 689 medical beds, 47% of adult ICU beds are COVID-19 patients.
He called the shortage of ICU beds "still very tight."
On Tuesday, the ADH reported a total of 328 people on ventilators due to the virus—a record set for the third day in a row in Arkansas.
Key facts to know:
- Total cases: 422,866 (+2,203)
- Total deaths: 6,539 (+41)
- Currently hospitalized: 1,410 (-49)
- Fully immunized: 1,135,361 (+6,132)
As the delta variant continues to surge, Arkansas has seen a rising surge in cases and hospitalizations.
According to the Associated Press, the state ranks fourth in the nation for new cases per capita.
This new record in hospitalizations comes as schools in the state begin their first week welcoming students back for classes. Around 70 school districts have announced mask requirements following a judge's decision to temporarily block Arkansas's mask mandate ban.
On Tuesday, the Arkansas Department of Health reported only 17 available ICU beds out of 1,410. 542 COVID patients are currently in the ICU.