LITTLE ROCK, Ark — For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, Arkansas has reported over 1,000 current hospitalizations.
"I think about the loss to so many families and the stress on our health care workers. We have a lot of work to do between now and Christmas," Gov. Hutchinson said Sunday.
Last week, Dr. Romero said the first of three COVID-19 vaccines will be reviewed on Dec. 10. Then, once vaccines are approved, a shipment will come to Arkansas, but not enough for everyone. It won't be until third quarter of next year that we have enough for everyone.
Key facts to know:
- 148,171 confirmed cases
- 22,753 probable cases
- 14,523 active confirmed cases
- 4,227 active probable cases
- 2,437 confirmed deaths
- 223 probable deaths
- 1,076 hospitalizations
- 179 on ventilators
- 131,189 confirmed recoveries
- 18,301 probable recoveries
Watch Thursday's 3 p.m. press conference here:
Sunday, Dec. 6
The Arkansas Department of Health announced 1,542 new COVID-19 cases in the state and 40 more deaths within 24 hours.
Saturday, Dec. 5
The Arkansas Department of Health announced 2,245 new COVID-19 cases in the state and 34 more deaths within 24 hours.
Of the 2,245 new cases, 1,801 are confirmed and 444 are probable. Of the 34 deaths, 32 are confirmed and two are probable.
There have been 14,236 PCR tests and 2,232 antigen tests given since yesterday
Friday, Dec. 4
The Arkansas Department of Health announced 2,827 new COVID-19 cases in the state and 31 more deaths within 24 hours.
Of the 2,827 new cases, 2,188 are confirmed and 639 are probable. Of the 31 deaths, 27 are confirmed and 4 are probable.
There have been 13,451 PCR tests and 2,701 antigen tests given since yesterday.
Thursday, Dec. 3
Gov. 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.
He also announced a 2,789 case increase, which is the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began. There have been 33 more deaths within the past 24 hours.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,212 new cases in the last 24 hours.
Hospitalizations in the state set another record with 1,088, which is up 14 from Tuesday. There were also 10 additional deaths.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are:
- Pulaski, 258
- Benton, 166
- Washington, 158
- Craighead, 119
- Faulkner, 84
“I expected the return to higher case numbers today, and all indications are that the number will continue to be high through the week," Governor Hutchinson said. "With COVID-19 virus in every area of the state (and nation), we need to double our efforts to follow public health guidelines.”
Tuesday. Dec. 1
1:40 p.m.
Counties with the most confirmed and probable cases within the last 24 hours:
- Pulaski 178
- Benton 171
- Washington 140
- Saline 101
- Green 92
Gov. Hutchinson is asking for application fees to be waived for teachers graduating soon. Application fees for graduating nurses will also be refunded if they've already paid.
1:30 p.m.
Gov. Hutchinson said once a vaccine is approved, we should have it in Arkansas within 24 hours. When they come, there will not be enough even to cover the health care workers and nursing home residents.
As of today, statewide, COVID-19 patients are taking up 37% of ICU beds. Baptist Health CEO Troy Wells announced they are working to get a trauma system implemented to transfer patients to different facilities as needed. The governor said it might takes two weeks to get this going.
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,950 new coronavirus cases in the state over the last 24 hours.
There have been 10 more deaths from the virus in Arkansas. Hospitalizations also increased by 11 and brought the total to 1,074.
The amount of COVID-19 patients on ventilators decrease by 6 to 195.
A total of 5,161 PCR tests and 4,365 antigen tests were completed over the last 24 hours.
Monday, Nov. 30
Gov. Hutchinson has confirmed a total of 32 new deaths from COVID-19 since yesterday along with another day in a row with an increase in hospitalizations, making a total of 1,063 Arkansans in the hospital with the virus.
That is an increase of 30 since Sunday.
“Today's increase in hospitalizations will continue to strain our health care system," Hutchinson said Monday after releasing the day's coronavirus numbers.
Sunday, Nov. 29
Below are today’s statewide hospitalization numbers as reported to us by hospitals and as of 2 p.m. Sunday:
- Current hospitalizations: 1,030
- Total Beds: 9,144
- Total Beds Available: 2,321
- Total ICU Beds: 1,139
- Total ICU Beds Available: 76
- Total Vents: 1,065
- Total Vents Available: 619
- Total Covid patients in ICU: 390
- Total Covid patients on vents: 185
We will update hits article with more information as it becomes available.