Thursday, January 28, 2021 Times-Democrat News Staff Although some vaccinations have been administered to essential and other front-line workers, the numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise at a steady rate in Clay County and much of the nation. Two additional deaths were also reported in the past week in the county, as the toll climbed over 40. Statewide in Arkansas on Wednesday the number of positive cases rose to 288,964, up from 284,702, on Monday. Of those 17,686 were considered still active, down from last Monday's total of 22,794 and down 472 in the previous 24 hours. On the other hand, the death toll continues to climb in Arkansas as it stood at 4,742, up from 4,343 on the previous Monday's report and an increase of 52 in the previous 24 hour period.