Case numbers Nationally have started to jump, but that averages out the larger jumps in low vaccination areas, with the low stable case numbers in high vaccination areas.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailytrendscases
Due to below average vaccination rates, Arkansas is expected to have an above average number of Delta cases.
However, the elderly are strongly vaccinated, so Delta patients will likely be younger. After age, obesity is considered the second biggest risk factor for serious disease and death from COVID. I wonder if those younger ICU patients have above average BMIs?
Over the next few weeks, we will see how sharp of a wave Delta will produce. It seems to rise and crest quicker than the earlier variants, based on its pattern in India and the UK.
It will probably vary a lot from one area to the other, as vaccination rates have spread widely over the last three months, with some areas having double the vaccination rate of others.
We could see some very busy local outbreaks (and soon), like Springfield, Missouri is having - but National resources should not be strained.
Younger sick patients are frequently obese. Older sick patients are not as likely to be obese but it is still a major risk factor for severity.