Covid cases surging

Covid-19 cases have taken a sharp turn upward in the past week through the state of Arkansas. In his Tuesday briefing, governor Asa Hutchinson reported the highest number of new cases in one day since the beginning of the pandemic, and he also added that the state holds over 32,000 active cases.

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders also reported a large increase in his weekly Wednesday report. After recording 248 active cases on Dec.29, Mississippi County now holds 708 active cases.

Surrounding counties have also seen a sharp increase over the past week. Crittenden County increased from 325 to 1,134, while Craighead County leaped from 1,436 to 3,043.

Mississippi County Health Officer, Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle, warned the community of the overwhelming caseload that this surge is placing on the medical systems. While monoclonal antibodies have been a primary option to treat patients after testing positive, the availability is struggling to match the demand. She also reiterated that monoclonal antibodies are only effective within the first 10 days of testing positive.

“In a perfect world, we would get people the monoclonal antibodies, but like I said last time, we don’t have any,” Pirtle said. “The bottom line is, we don’t have a lot to treat you with unless you're hospitalized. [If you are] then you can get remdesivir.” Remdesivir is an antiviral injection used to slow viruses like covid from spreading throughout the body.”

Pirtle continued, “But if not, you’re going to have to take care of yourself until we can get more monoclonal antibodies, but after 10 days [of being positive] there’s no point in getting those either.”

She added that Paxlovid, an oral treatment, developed by Pfizer and approved by the FDA, is another option to treat covid. The treatment consists of a total of 30 pills. With a prescription, three separate pills are to be taken twice a day for five days. Paxlovid is available free of charge and accessible at the Blytheville Walmart.

However, Pirtle emphasized the importance of discussing this treatment thoroughly with health providers before accepting a prescription.

“When you take certain medications, [like Paxlovid] they can make the normal medications you already take work too strongly, or not at all,” Pirtle said. “So you may have to hold your normal medications if you take the Paxlovid treatments.”

Sanders also went on to reiterate a main point concerning Covid-19 and the vaccinations.

“Even though you may contract the virus, the vaccines still work. The primary objective is to stay alive,” Sanders said. “I’m still cautious and still wear my mask, even in my office if there’s a visit.”

Sanders continued, “There’s just so much out there. And it’s not about violating anyone’s rights, it’s all about just providing information on what we’ve seen that works and slows the spread.”