Flu infection levels in Arkansas rise from low to high, while death rates rise

Little Rock, Arkansas – The scope and impact of the flu in Arkansas keep expanding.

In a report released on November 2 by the Arkansas Department of Health, it was noted that 3,180 positive influenza tests had been received since October 2. 1,482 positive tests were reported in the report from October 26; therefore, the number of infections more than doubled in that week.

Is Arkansas seeing a rise in the flu? The CDC has this to say.

According to the Nov. 2 report, four Arkansans have passed away from flu-related illness, an increase of one from the Oct. 26 report. According to ADH officials, 30 flu-related deaths were reported in Arkansas during the 2021–22 flu season.

Since it only requires reports of hospitalizations, fatalities, and outbreaks linked to the flu, the FDA warns that the 3,180 figure only represents a portion of flu cases in the state.

The department also stated that influenza activity in the state is currently categorized as high in its report from November 2. This surpasses the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s moderate risk threshold and improves from the poor grade it received on October 26.

Infections with influenza have been reported in three nursing facilities in Arkansas. In the earlier report from October 26, the figure had been zero.

For the final week of October, the average absence rate for public schools was 7.7%. This represents a modest decline from the 7.9% recorded on October 26.

According to the ADH’s weekly influenza report, there have been enough influenza-related deaths nationwide to qualify as an epidemic.

On the website of the Arkansas Department of Health, you may read the weekly influenza report for Arkansas.