LITTLE ROCK, Ark — In a press conference on July 3, Gov. Hutchinson announced he signed an executive order, allowing cities to use a model ordinance to require mask wearing on a local level.
The governor also announced if any Arkansan has a COVID-19 related health concern, they can request an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election.
Hutchinson also announced Thursday moving back the school start date in Arkansas to allow the school districts to properly prepare for protocols set up to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Key facts to know:
- 28,367 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 6,455 active cases
- 321 reported deaths
- 420 hospitalizations
- 82 on ventilators
- 21,591 recoveries
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Sunday, July 12
4 p.m.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there are 503 new COVID-19 cases in the state.
Saturday, July 11
7:30 p.m.
Governor Hutchinson said the record high number of cases is concerning and could be a result of July 4th celebrations.
3:30 p.m.
The Arkansas Department of Health confirms 1,061 new coronavirus cases in the state within 24 hours, bringing the biggest single day increase since the start of the pandemic in Arkansas.
Arkansas has seen a total of 27,864 positive cases since March 11.
There are currently 5,847 active cases in the state. There have been 6 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 319. There have also been 10 more hospitalizations.
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Friday, July 10th
Watch Gov. Hutchinson's 1:30 press briefing:
2:00 p.m.
In response to a question regarding conspiracy theories and negative comments on social media about masks, Gov. Hutchinson said that recent polling data the state conducted shows that people who people in those theories are in the minority.
He said we've worked hard on education in Arkansas. He said it's common sense and people get that, "for the most part."
1:45 p.m.
Hutchinson said that many people in the state are concerned about the long wait times to get test results.
For historical context, he said that it took three days in March to get results back, in June it was two days and now it July it's back to two and a half days.
The governor said he's concerned about the delay in test results and is hoping with national support, the state can get more resources in the commercial labs.
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Dr. Nate Smith said most of the cases in Hot Spring County are in a correctional facility in that county.
He also broke down the cases in Arkansas:
- 751 new cases
- 149 are in prison
- 602 in community
- 5,847 active
- 123 in nursing home
- 584 in correctional
- 5,140 are in community
1:30 p.m.
Gov. Hutchinson announced 751 new coronavirus cases, 8 more hospitalizations and 4 more deaths in Arkansas.
A total of 5,212 people have been tested in the last 24 hours.
The top counties with the most cases are:
- Hot Spring: 145 cases
- Pulaski: 100 cases
- Benton: 54 cases
- Washington: 51 cases
- Sebastian: 42 cases
9:00 am
Gov. Asa Hutchinson appeared Thursday night on 630 Central to answer viewer questions and discuss his plan for the coronavirus with Dawn Scott.
Hutchinson also discussed the recent decision on moving the school start date back and the education department's plan to slow the spread in schools.
You can watch the full interview below.
Watch Gov. Hutchinson answers your COVID-19 questions:
Thursday, July 9
2:50 p.m.
Dr. Smith provides a breakdown of the cases.
- 806 new cases
- 110 are in prison
- 696 in community
- 5,751 active
- 131 in nursing home
- 444 in correctional
- 5176 are in community
- 394 hospitalizations
- 82 ventilators
- 309 deaths
- 19,992 recoveries
The top 10 cities with active cases in Arkansas:
- Springdale
- Little Rock
- Rogers
- Fort Smith
- Conway
- Fayetteville
- Texarkana
- Russellville
- Danville
- Bentonville
2:40 p.m.
Governor Hutchinson announces schools will return this fall, but will return at a later date. The start date of school will be the week of August 24, but no later than August 26.
Here's what will happen if a school experiences a positive case:
2:30 p.m.
During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 806 new cases, which brings the known total to 26,052. Four more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 309.
Hospitalizations have increased by 36, bringing the total to 394.
New cases by county:
- Pulaski: 104
- Washington: 78
- Sebastian: 56
- Benton: 49
- Faulkner: 51
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Wednesday, July 8
1:50 p.m.
Steuart Walton, Chair of the Economic Recovery Task Force said more young people are not wearing a mask. He is asking the public to encourage the young people around you to wear one.
During the press conference, Walton talked about the COVID-19 survey that 600 Arkansans participated in:
Economic Recovery Task Force COVID-19 survey in Arkansas
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Nate Smith provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 734 new cases
- 104 in prisons
- 630 community
- 5,545 active cases
- 350 in prisons
- 125 in nursing homes
- 5,070 in community
- 358 hospitalizations
- 79 ventilators
- 305 deaths
- 19,396 recoveries
Watch Wednesday's press conference:
1:30 p.m.
During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 734 new cases, which brings the known total to 25,246. Four more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 305.
There was a 11-person decrease in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total down to 358.
There were 4,567 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
New cases broken down by county:
- Washington County - 72
- Pulaski County - 60
- Pope County - 46
- Mississippi County - 39
- Yell County - 32
- Johnson County - 26
- Saline County - 21
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Tuesday, July 7
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Nate Smith provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 259 new cases
- 23 in prisons
- 236 community
- 5,486 active cases
- 273 in prisons
- 117 in nursing homes
- 5,096 in community
- 369 hospitalizations
- 83 ventilators
- 301 deaths
- 18,725 recoveries
The top counties in terms of case count are Washington, Benton and Pulaski counties.
According to Secretary Mike Preston, 43,000 people have been approved for pandemic unemployment assistance. Around $330 million has already been dispersed. As of Tuesday morning, there were 97,966 claims.
Watch Tuesday's press conference:
1:30 p.m.
During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 259 new cases, which brings the known total to 24,512. Nine more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 301. Four of the nine new deaths were over the age of 65.
There was a 32-person increase in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 369. This is the highest number of hospitalizations the state has seen since the beginning of the pandemic.
There were 3,366 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
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Monday, July 6
4 p.m.
Gov. Hutchinson said Monday that the state currently has 320 in-house contact tracers and is bringing on the company General Dynamics for $20 million to hire 350 tracers starting this week.
There will be a third company that will add another 350, putting the state's total at 1,020 once the final company is hired and the budget is approved.
If a contact tracer is attempting to contact you, here's the number to look for: 877-272-6819.
If your phone abbreviates the number it will look like 877-ARCOV19.
The calls happen during the week and weekend but won't be after 8 p.m.
To know it's legitimate, they'll tell you information about where you've been or who you've seen. They will never ask you for money.
Watch Monday's press conference:
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Nate Smith provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 439 new cases
- 8 in prisons
- 431 community
- 6,127 active cases
- 456 in prisons
- 117 in nursing homes
- 5,554 in community
- 337 hospitalizations
- 81 ventilators
- 292 deaths
- 17,834 recoveries
1:30 p.m.
During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 439 new cases, which brings the known total to 24,253. Five more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 292.
There was a 12-person increase in hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 337. This is the highest number of hospitalizations the state has seen since the beginning of the pandemic.
There were 3,615 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
New cases broken down by county:
- Washington County - 77
- Pulaski County - 46
- Yell County - 36
- Benton County - 36
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Watch Friday's press conference: