According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the number of COVID-19 deaths in Mississippi County increased by three this week. Also, the number of active cases in Arkansas increased to 3,042 this week even though the number of new cases dipped slightly to 386.
Statewide 13 Arkansans lost their lives to the virus last week raising the total to 12,347 since the pandemic began in 2020. A total of 225 Mississippi County residents have died as a result of the virus.
Craighead County had the most new cases in Northeast Arkansas with 21. Mississippi County had 17, Greene County had eight, Poinsett County had five, Cross County had three and Clay County had one new case reported.
The United States government also extended the COVID-19 public health emergency another 90 days through Jan. 11, 2023. The emergency status has been renewed every 90 days since the pandemic began two years ago.