Arkansas Sees 51% Spike in Deaths in December Listen to Katy Seiter and Mary Hennigan analyze the December COVID-19 case trends in Arkansas with host KUAF host Antoinette Grajeda on Ozarks at Large. A tough month: a 51% increase in COVID-19 -related deaths and a 33 percent in cases. Listen Rob Wells Rob Wells, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Journalism at the University of Arkansas School of Journalism and Strategic Media. Previous Article Arkansas Vaccinates Additional 3,250 Residents; Pace to Accelerate Next Article Arkansas records COVID-19 surge following Thanksgiving