LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As of 6:35 p.m on Monday, the Arkansas Department of Health has confirmed 508 positive COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
Gov. Hutchinson also confirmed Monday that there are now seven deaths in the state related to COVID-19.
Key facts to know:
WATCH MONDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE HERE:
Monday, March 30
7:45 p.m.:
Baptist Health announced Sunday that although reducing non-coronavirus related procedures (including non-emergency testing, regular clinic, and specialty visits) has helped prevent exposure of COVID-19, it has caused financial hardship.
6:40 p.m.:
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, positive COVID-19 cases in Arkansas has risen to 508, a 35 case jump since his 1:30 p.m. press conference.
5:00 p.m.:
Laura Grimes of Benton said her parents, native Arkansans themselves, are currently stuck on a cruise ship where they say hundreds are said to have flu-like symptoms. At least 2 passengers have tested positive for COVID-19, and 4 have died on the boat.
1:50 p.m.
According to Stacy Hurst, Secretary of Arkansas Department of Parks, state parks are open but officials have taken extensive measures to reduce the risk to visitors and staff.
1:45 p.m.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson authorized $45 million in additional funds for personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect health care workers in Arkansas. This is in addition to $30 million already allocated to pay for PPE. The state will also use this to purchase ventilators.
Arkansas is expecting $1.25 billion in federal funds for “costs related to the COVID-19 crisis." It has to be used by the end of the calendar year. It cannot be used to fill holes in the state budget, according to Gov. Hutchinson.
1:30 p.m.
Gov. Hutchinson confirmed in a press conference there were a total of 473 cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas, including one more death, totaling seven in the state.
Dr. Nate Smith breaks down the 426 cases of COVID-19:
- 17 children (ages 18 and under)
- 149 seniors (ages 65+)
- 307 adults (ages 19-64)
- 47 cases in nursing homes
- 62 hospitalized
- 21 on ventilators
Dr. Smith confirmed in the 473 cases in Arkansas, there are six pregnant women, 71 related to domestic travel, 73 healthcare workers, 37 with diabetes, 12 with immuno-compromising conditions and 10 with chronic kidney disease.
He also confirmed the 7th death in Arkansas was that of a senior nursing home resident. This is the first nursing home related death in Arkansas.
Watch Sunday's press conference here:
The following counties have at least one confirmed case of COVID-19:
- Arkansas County
- Ashley County
- Baxter County
- Benton County
- Boone County
- Bradley County
- Chicot County
- Clark County
- Cleburne County
- Cleveland County
- Columbia County
- Conway County
- Craighead County
- Crawford County
- Crittenden County
- Cross County
- Desha County
- Drew County
- Faulkner County
- Garland County
- Grant County
- Greene County
- Hempstead County
- Hot Spring County
- Howard County
- Independence County
- Jefferson County
- Johnson County
- Lawrence County
- Lincoln County
- Lonoke County
- Nevada County
- Newton County
- Perry County
- Pike County
- Poinsett County
- Polk County
- Pope County
- Pulaski County
- Randolph County
- Saline County
- Searcy County
- Sebastian County
- Sevier County
- St. Francis
- Stone County
- Union County
- Van Buren County
- Washington County
- White County
- Woodruff County
We will continue to update this article with new information as it becomes available.