COVID-19 Update: October 6, 2021

It is encouraging to see that active COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to trend down statewide and locally. There are 58 active COVID-19 cases in Baxter County, and 43.7% of the population of Baxter County is fully vaccinated. Currently, Baxter Regional Medical Center has 14 COVID-19 patients admitted, with 4 in ICU and 2 on ventilators. There are 4 Baxter Regional employees out with COVID-19, at home and in isolation.

Additional statistics from Baxter Regional:
. 85.7% of 14 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized are not fully vaccinated.
. 89.2% of 444 COVID-19 patients hospitalized since March 1, 2021, were not fully vaccinated.
. 82.7% of 104 COVID-19 deaths since March 1, 2021, were not fully vaccinated.

Due to the continued downward trend in active cases and hospitalizations, our hospital visitor policy was updated last 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 hosted its first COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Event Tuesday, October 5 and administered 1,350 booster doses. Anyone who missed that event and is eligible for a booster now may call (870) 508-7001 to schedule an appointment. Another COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Event for the community will be held at the Baxter County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 9, with more information to be released at a later date.

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. For more information regarding eligibility, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.

Our situation has definitely improved, but we urge everyone to remember that the very best way to 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.