LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Last week, Gov. Hutchinson announced a state-wide mandate for the state of Arkansas. The mask mandate took effect on Monday, July 20.
The governor said this decision came after conversations with those on the front-lines and legislators. He said that the fight against COVID-19 will likely get harder, not easier, and this is a way to enlist everyone in the fight.
The state unemployment rate decreased from 9.6% in May to 8% in June. The national rate is 11.1%.
Key facts to know:
- 38,623 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 6,600 active cases
- 401 reported deaths
- 479 hospitalizations as of July 25
- 105 on ventilators as of July 25
- 31,622 recoveries
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Sunday, July 26
3:20 p.m.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there are 642 new positive COVID-19 cases in the state, with two more deaths from the virus.
Saturday, July 25
5:30 p.m.
The Arkansas Department of Health confirms 732 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total to 37,981.
Watch Friday's 1:30 p.m. press conference:
Friday, July 241
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Jose Romero provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 990 new cases
- 7,028 active cases
- 148 in nursing homes
- 552 in prisons
- 6,026 in community
- 497 hospitalizations
- 109 ventilators
- 394 deaths
1:30 p.m.
During the press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 990 new cases, which brings the known total to 37,249. There were 8 more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 394.
There was a 17-person increase in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total up to 497.
There were 8,015 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
New cases broken down by county:
- Pulaski County - 144
- Washington County - 82
- Benton County - 55
- Newton County - 55
- Sebastian County - 38
- Jefferson County - 37
- Pope County - 37
"I want to urge all Arkansans that 900 or so cases is too high," Gov. Hutchinson said. "Follow all of the guidelines and wear your mask. Just be careful. It's the backyard barbecues and swim parties that can lead to a spread of this."
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Thursday, July 23
1:40 p.m.
There are 841 active cases in the department of corrections, plus additional cases in county jails. All inmates have been issues face coverings. Each inmate is screened multiple times a day with temperature checks and questions.
Overall total cases in correctional facilities:
- Total cases - 4,655
- Total active - 869
- Total recoveries - 3,765
- Total deaths - 21
Dr. Jose Romero provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 1,031 new cases
- 5 in prisons
- 1,008 in community
- 7,009 active cases
- 146 in nursing homes
- 869 in prisons
- 5,994 in community
- 480 hospitalizations
- 107 ventilators
- 386 deaths
- 28,864 recoveries
There have been 133,054 COVID-19 tests completed in the month of July in Arkansas with an 8% is cumulative positivity rate.
Romero said the state determines positivity rate by the total number of tests that is performed on any given day, and the number of positive tests. That will change over time as we are receiving results at a later date.
Watch Thursday's press conference:
1:30 p.m.
At the beginning of the press conference, Gov. Hutchinson gave his best wishes to Senator Jason Rapert as he has tested positive for COVID-19 and pneumonia.
The governor also announced Solomon Grave as the new Secretary of Arkansas Department of Corrections.
State health officials announced 1,013 new cases, which brings the known total to 36,259. There were 6 more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 386.
There was a 6-person increase in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total up to 480.
There were 5,487 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
New cases broken down by county:
- Pulaski County - 113
- Washington County - 76
- Benton County - 73
- Sebastian County - 65
- Craighead County 41
- Crittenden County - 43
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Wednesday, July 22
1:50 p.m.
Secretary Mike Preston said there were about 92,000 continued unemployment claims this week, and the number of claims continues to drop every week. He is also reminding Arkansans that the Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Cares Act ends this week.
He also said there have been 20,000 unemployment claims that are under review for possible fraud.
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Jose Romero provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 591 new cases
- 7 in prisons
- 584 in community
- 6,876 active cases
- 140 in nursing homes
- 916 in prisons
- 5,820 in community
- 474 hospitalizations
- 107 ventilators
- 380 deaths
- 27,990 recoveries
Dr. Romero mentioned that 11% of the COVID-19 deaths in Arkansas belong to northwest Arkansas with 39 deaths.
Watch Wednesday's press conference:
1:30 p.m.
During the press conference at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Gov. Hutchinson announced 591 new cases, which brings the known total to 35,246. There were 6 more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 380.
There was a 14-person decrease in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total down to 474.
There were 3,933 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
New cases broken down by county:
- Pulaski County - 80
- Benton County - 46
- Washington County - 38
- Craighead County 33
- Faulkner County - 30
- Garland County - 30
- Pope County - 24
- Crittenden County - 22
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Tuesday, July 21
1:50 p.m.
Gov. Hutchinson said the state of Arkansas is committed to starting school the week of August 24th. For students, “it’s important to their emotional health and their education.” He played a clip of several infectious disease experts saying they’re comfortable sending their own children back to school.
Secretary of Education Johnny Key highlighted several districts that are implementing Ready for Learning plans.
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Jose Romero provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 728 new cases
- 122 in prisons
- 606 community
- 6,998 active cases
- 138 in nursing homes
- 921 in prisons
- 5,939 in community
- 488 hospitalizations
- 110 ventilators
- 374 deaths
- 27,283 recoveries
Watch Tuesday's press conference:
1:30 p.m.
During the press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 728 new cases, which brings the known total to 34,655. There were 11 more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 374.
There was a 17-person increase in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total up to 488.
There were 5,670 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
New cases broken down by county:
- Pulaski County - 110
- Washington County - 62
- Crawford County - 46
- Benton County -45
- Sebastian County - 30
- Jefferson County - 29
- Saline County - 24
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Monday, July 20
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Jose Romero provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 648 new cases
- 11 in prisons
- 688 community
- 7,127 active cases
- 121 in nursing homes
- 1,093 in prisons
- 5,953 in community
- 471 hospitalizations
- 111 ventilators
- 363 deaths
- 26,397 recoveries
Arkansas has been allocated 8.2 Million to help with energy bills. Mitchell Simpson with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality said both programs will launch Monday, July 27.
"It's an exciting relaunch of our LIHEAP program," Simpson said. "It will now be enhanced. $6.9 million will go to crisis program and $1.23 million will go to air conditioning program."
LIHEAP changes:
- It differs from traditional LIHEAP becuase this adds winter fuels/things
- Max increased from 500 to 1,500
- Usually you have to present a shutoff notice, but now you can submit a past due notice
The 2nd program funded by the CARES Act is for the air conditioning program. You must meet 4 qualifying conditions:
- Elderly in home
- Disability in home
- Child age 5 or under
- Medical condition that can be verified
Watch Monday's press conference:
1:30 p.m.
During the press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 699 new cases, which brings the known total to 33,927. There were 6 more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 363.
There was a 18-person increase in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total up to 471.
Governor Hutchinson said Arkansas is "too high” in terms of hospitalizations per 100,000. This “shows the potential stress on hospitals” and strain on health care workers.
There were 5,689 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours with a positivity rate of 9.6%.
New cases broken down by county:
- Pulaski County - 60
- Washington County - 94
- Benton County - 57
- Craighead County - 28
- Mississippi County - 26
- Pope County - 26
- Sebastian County - 25
- Garland County - 24
- Miller County - 24
- Arkansas County - 21
- Faulkner County - 21
The governor announced there has been a request for Arkansas to provide National Guard assistance. He said 10 National Guard members will support the case management work at Washington Regional Medical Center for the next 30 days.
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Over the weekend:
