LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Thursday, Dec. 17, the Arkansas Department of Health reported a new record-high of COVID-19 cases in a single day for the state, which was 3,039.
On Monday, Dec. 14, as the first round of vaccines are delivered to the state and across the country, Arkansas reports 45 deaths and 1,355 new positive cases.
"Brighter days are ahead, but we must continue to follow public health guidelines. This virus continues to rapidly spread, and it's up to each of us to do our part to slow the spread," Gov. Hutchinson said Monday.
Hutchinson announced Arkansas will be following the CDC guidelines of a shorter quarantine time. A COVID-19 patient can quarantine for 14 days, but they can be released after 10 days if they are asymptomatic. If you have tested negative, you may be released after seven days.
Key facts to know:
- 170,603 confirmed cases
- 31,047 probable cases
- 17,135 active confirmed cases
- 5,866 active probable cases
- 2,842 confirmed deaths
- 395 probable deaths
- 1,057 hospitalizations
- 170 on ventilators
- 150,604 confirmed recoveries
- 24,783 probable recoveries
Watch Weekly COVID-19 Update Here:
Sunday, Dec. 20
The Arkansas Department of Health reports 1,563 new COVID-19 cases and 48 more deaths.
Over the weekend, 100 Arkansans have died from the virus.
Saturday, Dec. 19
The Arkansas Department of Health reports 2,693 new COVID-19 cases and 52 more deaths.
Of the new cases, 1,853 are confirmed and 840 are probable. Of the deaths, 45 are confirmed and seven are probable.
There have been 11,971 PCR tests and 3,205 antigen tests administered within the past 24 hours.
Friday, Dec. 18
The Arkansas Department of Health reports 2,878 new COVID-19 cases and 27 more deaths.
Of the new cases, 1,922 are confirmed and 956 are probable. Of the deaths, 21 are confirmed and six are probable.
There have been 13,816 PCR tests and 5,262 antigen tests administered within the past 24 hours.
Thursday, Dec. 17
The Arkansas Department of Health reports 3,039 new COVID-19 cases in a single day, a record-high for the state. There have been 38 more deaths due to the virus.
Of the new cases, 2,282 are confirmed and 757 are probable. Of the deaths, 30 are confirmed and 8 are probable.
There have been 14,056 PCR tests and 3,275 antigen tests administered within the past 24 hours.
Wednesday, Dec. 16
The Arkansas Department of Health is reporting a new daily record of 58 deaths due to COVID-19 along with 2,306 new cases and an increase of hospitalizations to 1,079.
A total of 8,885 PCR tests and 4,696 antigen tests were completed over the last 24 hours.
“Yesterday was a new record in antigen testing in Arkansas, and new cases are running flat week over week. Regretfully, we also saw another record in new deaths, with 58 deaths reported yesterday," Gov. Hutchinson said. "We are distributing the vaccine across the state for our health care workers, and we continue to see high levels of community spread."
Tuesday, Dec. 15
1:40 p.m.
In addition to the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine is coming, according to Dr. Romero.
"The FDA will review the safety of the Moderna vaccine this week, hopefully there will be an EUA approved ," Dr. Romero said. "Pfizer is approved for 16 years and up, and Moderna is 18 and up.
He also said will likely have two vaccines next week, and reminded everyone that the these vaccines are very safe.
1:30 p.m.
Gov. Hutchinson said he expects to receive notice about the next shipment of the Pfizer vaccine on Friday, Dec. 18. This will be a reoccurring process.
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,141 new coronavirus cases in the state over the last 24 hours.
There have been 26 more deaths from the virus in Arkansas. Hospitalizations also increased by 20 and brought the total to 1,070.
The amount of COVID-19 patients ventilators increased by 10, putting the total at 190.
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Monday, Dec. 14:
The Arkansas Department of Health has reported a total of 1,355 positive COVID-19 cases in the state since yesterday.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 194; Washington, 102; Benton, 95; Faulkner, 66; and Saline, 58.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“Today is a hopeful day. After months of work, a COVID-19 vaccine is in Arkansas, and the first vaccine was given to Sherian Kwanisai today. The FDA should approve additional vaccines soon, and we will be set to cover our long-term care facilities," the governor said with the updated numbers.
Watch Gov. Hutchinson's statewide address on COVID-19 last Thursday: