LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — In the first week of Phase Two, Arkansas saw a total of 3,060 new coronavirus cases.
In the second phase, restaurants and businesses are allowed to fill up to two-thirds capacity and Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that nursing home visitations will continue on July 1.
Hutchinson has also issued a new guidance on face masks in the state, but has yet to make it a requirement to wear them in public settings.
Key facts to know:
- 19,818 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- 5,918 active cases
- 264 reported deaths
- 283 hospitalizations
- 66 on ventilators
- 13,636 recoveries
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Sunday, June 28
3:20 p.m.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there have been a confirmed 19,818 total coronavirus cases since March 11, with 508 new cases in the last 24 hours.
There have been 13,636 total recoveries.There were 283 people hospitalized.
Saturday, June 27
4:30 p.m.
The Arkansas Department of Health confirms 570 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 19,310 in the state. There have been 10 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 259.
There are currently 5,781 active cases in Arkansas. There were 278 people hospitalized.
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Watch Friday's 1:30 p.m. press conference:
Friday, June 26
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Nate Smith provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 678 new cases
- 9 in prison
- 669 in community
- 5,707 active cases
- 621 in prisons
- 108 in nursing homes
- 4,978 in community
- 284 hospitalizations
- 63 ventilators
- 249 deaths
- 12,784 recoveries
There were 6,897 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
Gov. Hutchinson encourages churches to follow the guidelines. He said there have been clusters of cases at Arkansas churches. “98% of churches are following the guideline” but reminds if you don’t “you can have some very ill people and people who can die.”
The governor is asking Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to begin monitoring bars and restaurants to make sure they are in compliance with state public health directives.
1: 30 p.m.
During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced 678 new cases, which brings the known total to 18,740. Seven more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 249.
There were no new hospitalizations, leaving the total at 284.
New cases broken down by county:
- Washington County - 122
- Pulaski County - 84
- Benton County - 68
- Sebastian County - 33
- Faulkner County - 31
- Crittenden County - 26
- Pope County - 22
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Thursday, June 25
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Nate Smith provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 687 new cases.
- 168 in prison
- 519 in community
- 5,695 active cases
- 841 in prisons
- 104 in nursing homes
- 5,750 in community
- 284 hospitalizations
- 66 ventilators
- 242 deaths
- 12,127 recoveries
Watch Thursday's press conference:
1: 30 p.m.
During a press conference in Mountain Home, Gov. Hutchinson announced 687 new cases, which brings the known total to 18,062. Two more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 242.
There was an 17-person increase in hospitalizations, bringing the total to a new high of 284.
There were 6,652 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours. Arkansas has an overall positivity rate of 6.5%.
New cases broken down by county:
- Washington County - 96
- Benton County - 45
- Pulaski County - 44
- Lonoke County - 26
- Sebastian County - 26
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Wednesday, June 24
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Nate Smith provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 697 new cases
- 43 in prisons
- 168 cases found in Hot Spring County, most are in Ouachita unit
- 43 in prisons
- 5,567 active cases
- 819 in prisons
- 100 in nursing homes
- 267 hospitalizations
- 58 ventilators
- 240 deaths
- 11,568 recoveries
1: 30 p.m.
During a press conference in Mountain Home, Gov. Hutchinson announced 697 new cases, which brings the known total to 17,375. Three more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 240.
There was an 19-person increase in hospitalizations, bringing the total to a new high of 267.
Arkansas has completed 125,002 COVID-19 tests so far in month of June.
Watch Wednesday's press conference:
New cases broken down by county:
- Hot Spring County - 168
- Washington County - 79
- Benton County - 67
- Pulaski County - 51
- Sebastian County - 40
- Faulkner County - 29
- Yell County - 26
- Columbia County - 26
Gov. Hutchinson has directed the Arkansas Department of Health to double the number of new contact tracers from 350 to 700 for a cost of $22 million. We have to have these resources to catch up.
The goal for July testing will be 180,000. This means we will be testing 6% of the Arkansas population. ADH will do three surge events in the coming weeks in northwest Arkansas.
11 a.m.
New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will require visitors from states with high infection rates to quarantine for 14 days, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday. As of Wednesday, the advisory impacts travelers from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah and Texas.
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Tuesday, June 23
1:40 p.m.
Dr. Nate Smith provided a breakdown of the cases in the state:
- 595 new cases
- 212 in prisons
- 383 in community
- 5,221 active cases
- 779 in prisons
- 103 in nursing homes
- 4,339 in community
- 248 hospitalizations
- 57 ventilators
- 237 deaths
- 11,220 recoveries
Correctional Facility breakdown:
- Benton County Jail: 188 cases, 13 staff
- Ouachita County Jail (in Malvern): 128 cases
Watch Tuesday's press conference:
1:30 p.m.
During a press conference in Mountain Home, Gov. Hutchinson announced 595 new cases, which brings the known total to 16,678. Ten more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 237.
There was an 11-person increase in hospitalizations, bringing the total to a new high of 248.
There were 5,344 COVID-19 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
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Monday, June 22
2:15 p.m.
Over the past 24 hours, the three counties leading with new cases are Washington, Benton and Hot Spring counties.
Dr. Nate Smith provided an age breakdown of the active cases in the state:
- Under 18 - 13%
- 18-24 - 14%
- 25-44 - 37%
- 44-64 - 26%
- 65+ - 10%
2:00 p.m.
In response to President Donald Trump's comments about slowing down testing, Hutchinson called the comment "flippant" and said Arkansas officials were not going to back off on testing.
The governor said he remains focused on increasing testing in the state and the national policy is to expand testing.
Watch Monday's 1:30 p.m. press conference:
1:30 p.m.
Arkansas officials have announced 522 new cases, which brings the known total to 16,083. Two more deaths were announced, bringing the total to 227.
There are currently:
- 5,063 active cases
- 237 hospitalizations
- 61 on ventilators
- 10,793 total recoveries
Gov. Hutchinson showed a graph that said Arkansas had a total of 2,552 bed available in hospitals, which is about 28% of the total beds in the state.
Hutchinson also showed that around 65% ventilators in the state are available.
Sunday, June 21
The Arkansas Department of Health updated its website to include 419 new COVID-19 cases in the state.
That brings the total in Arkansas to 15,561 known positive cases.
One new death was announced, bringing the total to 225.
