Third Wave of COVID-19 Infection Impacts Arkansas

A surge of new COVID-19 cases in Arkansas is being attributed to a new more infectious virus variant coupled with low vaccination rates — driven in large part by vaccine denialism and fear. COVID-19 testing is also scant, experts say, making accurate new case counts in Arkansas elusive. And complicating matters is the inability by the state executive branch and local jurisdictions to reinstate protective emergency measures, with such decisions now under the authority of the Republican-majority Arkansas legislature.