This season's flu deaths jumped from nine to 12 as of Saturday, according to a report this week from the state Health Department.
The report marked the first time influenza-related deaths crossed into double digits for the season, although the pace of deaths still is down from previous years. There were 118 Arkansas deaths during the 2019-2020 flu season.
Of those who died recently, 10 were age 65 or older, the agency's data shows.
According to the report, "influenza-like illness" activity fell from the second-lowest to lowest possible level, as compared with the previous week. Both levels were considered "minimal."
Since late September, health providers have reported 1,277 positive flu tests to regulators -- likely just a fraction of total flu cases since many aren't reported, the report cautioned.
By comparison, Arkansas reported 2,520 positive tests for covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, on Wednesday alone. More than 276,000 people have been sickened in the state
No nursing homes have reported flu outbreaks so far this season, the Health Department's report said. That is a stark decrease from last year, when 10 nursing homes had flu outbreaks.
Last week, 10 people had positive flu tests and were hospitalized. Cumulatively there have been 101 total flu-related hospital admissions in Arkansas since the fall.
Nationally, flu-related doctor visits appeared to fall slightly, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When flu season began, public health experts feared a "twindemic" of flu and covid-19 that could strain hospital systems. Mitigation measures for the new virus such as hand-washing and masks have seemed to lessen flu's spread, they say.
However, flu still could flare up because the season's peak varies from year to year, experts contend.