Despite statewide increases in new and active COVID - 19 cases , for the third straight week Garland County’s metrics continue to be flat , according to County Health Officer Dr . Gene Shelby .
   The Hot Springs/Garland County COVID - 19 Task Force is meeting monthly and did not convene this week , but Shelby provided his weekly COVID - 19 statistic update electronically to the group .
   For the week of April 17 - 24 , there were only 12 reported new cases , compared to the previous weeks’ 16 and 11 . There were 326 reported tests , for a positivity rate of 3 . 7% , compared to previous weeks’ 5 . 3% and 3 . 3% . Active cases in the county increased by one to 31 , as of Monday morning . There was one COVID - related death recorded , bringing the cumulative total to 510 .
   Representatives from both CHI St . Vincent and National Park Medical Center also reported there were no hospitalized COVID - 19 patients as of Monday morning .
   Shelby reiterated that COVID statistics are not as important as the trend line . “While we are holding steady here in Garland County , Arkansas as a whole is seeing an upward trend in both active and new positives , ” he said .
   For continued COVID - 19 updates . . .
   

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