Many area hospitals were surprised to find a surplus of the COVID-19 vaccine in the first shipment, which normally contains five doses, but some contain six. If all vials contain six doses, the Northwest Health System would have received 1,680 doses instead of 1,400. -Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

On Thursday, NWA hospitals had a combined total of 106 patients in COVID-19 units. Mercy, Washington Regional, and Northwest Health have a total of 134 beds designated for COVID-19 units, leaving about 30 empty beds between the three hospitals. -Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Front-line healthcare workers in NWA have started receiving the vaccine and are encouraging others to do the same. -4029 News