WITH POLL | Region’s COVID count remains low

New COVID-19 cases in the region remain low despite a recent uptick in infections and hospitalizations in Arkansas and Texas.

As of Friday, Texas reported nearly 4,000 new cases of coronavirus disease and six deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Two new cases came from Bowie County. A week ago, on June 3, the county reported 10 new cases.

Cass County, Texas, reported no new COVID cases Friday, though it added six cases on Wednesday.

Across the Red River, The Natural State reported 670 new COVID cases on Friday. Miller County added one case and Little River County two cases.

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Danyelle McNeill, public information officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, said the increases are anticipated.

"We aren't surprised by the increase we're seeing due to the infectious nature of the omicron subvariant circulating right now," she said in an email to the Gazette.

Omicron variant BA.2.12.1, according to the Centers for Disease Control, accounts for more than 60% of current infections.

"Some early evidence suggests BA.2.12.1 is increasing in variant proportion faster than other omicron sublineages," the agency said on its website. "CDC is working to better understand BA.2.12.1, how it spreads, and how well existing treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 work against it."

According to the CDC, the United States saw 170,379 new COVID cases on Wednesday, the highest number reported since February.

McNeill said the public should take standard precautions as the variant weaves through the country.

"We encourage people to get vaccinated if they haven't already been vaccinated and to get their booster shots if they haven't already. Also, to further to protect yourself, you can wear a mask when indoors amongst crowds."

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