COVID

While COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are starting to decrease again after the Omicron surge, we are not out of the woods, Arkansas officials warn.

State of play: The state saw a record of 1,817 COVID-19 hospitalizations on Monday. The number had declined to 1,785 Tuesday, according to data from the Arkansas Department of Health.

• Active cases also decreased from 93,314 to 89,572.

A higher rate of kids in NWA are vaccinated against COVID-19 than most of the state, but the vast majority remain unvaccinated.

Why it matters: Children can become very ill if they contract COVID-19, health experts, including state health secretary José Romero, have said. They've stressed the vaccine is the best defense against the virus.

Arkansas' COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to climb even as the number of new cases decreases.

By the numbers: The state reported 1,487 hospitalizations on Tuesday, a five-month high.

Lenders denied 26% of Arkansas' Black mortgage applicants in 2020, the third-highest denial rate in the U.S., a recent report from Zillow shows.

Why it matters: The report provides more evidence that the pandemic is affecting Black Americans disproportionately, writes Axios' Hope King.

Classes start next week at the University of Arkansas and NorthWest Arkansas Community College as the state sees a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

What's happening: The region's colleges plan to go forward with in-person instruction and will continue to require all students and employees to wear masks on campus, spokespeople for U of A and NWACC tell Axios.

Twice as many Arkansans have COVID-19 than a week ago, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday during a news conference.

Why it matters: More cases equals more hospitalizations. And hospitals are rapidly seeing more admissions for COVID-19.

Arkansas hospitals are trying to get ahead of an expected wave of COVID-19 patients.

What's happening: The Arkansas American Rescue Plan Act Steering Committee on Monday approved emergency spending of $50.1 million so 11 hospitals can increase capacity.

COVID-19 infection rates. S Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

Fayetteville Public Schools is requiring masks for all students, faculty and staff — again, the Fayetteville Flyer reported.

State of play: The school district had decided it would reinstate the mask mandate if cases reached 30 per 10,000 people in the community for 14 consecutive days. And with rising cases, the mandate is in effect again.