LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Health confirms over 16,000 active cases in the state and 24 more deaths within the past 24 hours.
The state also broke the single-day high of new cases on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, the state reported 1,548 new cases and then on Friday it reported 1,870 new cases.
(Eds. note: This article was last updated on November 16.)
Key facts to know:
- 118,843 confirmed cases
- 14,197 probable cases
- 12,203 active confirmed cases
- 4,328 active probable cases
- 2,000 confirmed deaths
- 183 probable deaths
- 830 hospitalizations
- 116 on ventilators
- 104,627 confirmed recoveries
- 9,685 probable recoveries
Watch Gov. Hutchinson's COVID-19 announcement:
Sunday, November 15
The Arkansas Department of Health confirms over 16,000 active cases in the state and 24 more deaths within the past 24 hours.
Saturday, November 14
3 p.m.
The Arkansas Department of Health confirms 1,848 new COVID-19 cases in the state within 24 hours and 11 more deaths.
Among the new cases, 1,349 of the cases are confirmed and 499 are probable. All of the new deaths have been confirmed.
The state has 16,553 active cases, which is a record-high for active cases in Arkansas.
Hospitalizations are down 14 since yesterday, at 812. There are seven more on ventilators.
There have been 12,063 PCR tests within the last 24 hours and 2,234 antibody tests.
Friday, November 13
2:30 p.m.
According to the latest hospitalizations numbers, there are now 92 ICU beds available across the state.
Total ICU beds increased by 16 and 826 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Below are today’s statewide hospitalization numbers:
- Current hospitalizations: 826
- Total beds: 9,144
- Total beds available: 2,339
- Total ICU beds: 1,096
- Total ICU beds available: 92
- Total vents: 1,025
- Total vents available: 644
- Total COVID patients in ICU: 292
- Total COVID patients on vents: 114
12:15 p.m.
"This task force is created by an executive order," Gov. Hutchinson said. "It's responsibility will be to investigate, advise and make recommendations to Governor."
The Vice Chair of task force will be Dr. Greg Bledsoe, Arkansas's Surgeon General. Gov. Hutchinson will be the Chair.
The governor said they are devoting $1.6 million right now for winter COVID-19 advertising budget. He has also authorized 30 National Guard members in case investigation.
12 p.m.
Gov. Hutchinson announced a COVID-19 Winter Task Force. This is because winter months pose particular challenges. Case loads and hospitalizations are going up in Arkansas and nationally.
One of the major focuses will be hospital capacity and what more can be done to manage along with what relief the state can provide. The task force will also look at how to expand hospital organization regionally.
Arkansas broke another single day record with 2,312 new COVID-19 cases. Hospitalizations also broke a record with a new total of 826, and 12 within the last 24 hours.
Thursday, November 12
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,809 new COVID-19 cases in the state, with 1,285 being confirmed cases and 524 listed as probable cases.
Arkansas also reported 18 more deaths and hospitalizations increased by four to 805. A total of 116 people are on ventilators.
The state is reporting that 11,164 PCR tests and 1,740 antigen tests were completed over the last 24 hours.
In its daily report on statewide hospitalizations numbers, the Arkansas Department of Health said only 82 ICU beds were available across the state. That is down from 93 on Wednesday.
Gov. Hutchinson said that we need to "be mindful of the pressure on our hospitals, doctors and health care workers."
"Let's reduce the hospitalizations by doing our part to protect each other," he said.
Below are today’s statewide hospitalization numbers:
- Current hospitalizations: 805
- Total beds: 9,144
- Total beds available: 2,355
- Total ICU beds: 1,080
- Total ICU beds available: 82
- Total vents: 1,072
- Total vents available: 675
- Total COVID patients in ICU: 295
- Total COVID patients on vents: 116
Wednesday, November 11
Arkansas has once again broken its single-day record of new COVID-19 cases.
The Arkansas Department of Health reported a total of 1,962 new cases with 1,207 being confirmed cases and 755 being probable cases.
Hospitalizations dropped to 801, ventilator use is down to 116, but 14 more people have died due to COVID-19.
A total of 9,390 PCR tests and 2,247 antigen tests were completed over the last 24 hours.
Gov. Hutchinson said Wednesday's record breaking numbers of new cases, "is a profoundly serious reminder of the emergency that continues."
The health department also reported that only 93 ICU beds were available across the entire state and 304 COVID-19 patients were currently in the ICU.
Watch weekly COVID-19 update here:
Tuesday, November 10
1:50 p.m.
Dr. Romero said hospitalizations continue to increase.
"We have been in contact with metro area hospitals," Dr. Romero said. "We are seeing more cases as a result of Halloween. This is something that we may see even more significantly with Thanksgiving. I'm coming forward and saying 'people living in congregate settings should NOT be taken away to have Thanksgiving with their families.'
Dr. Romero also said the FDA will be looking at a vaccine and it shows very promising results. According to data, it works about as well as the vaccines used for whopping cough and measles.
1:30 p.m.
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,424 new coronavirus cases in the state over the last 24 hours.
Of those 1,424 cases, 975 were confirmed cases and 449 were probable cases.
There have been 4 more deaths from the virus in Arkansas.
Hospitalizations increased by 24 and brought the total to 810. Ventilator use is up by 11, bringing the total to 124.
Gov. Hutchinson said the Arkansas Department of Health has released revised guidelines for places of worship.
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Monday, November 9
4 p.m.
Below are today’s statewide hospitalization numbers as reported to ADH by hospitals and as of 2 p.m. today.
- Current hospitalizations: 786
- Total Beds: 9,144
- Total Beds Available: 2,403
- Total ICU Beds: 1,082
- Total ICU Beds Available: 106
- Total Vents: 1,072
- Total Vents Available: 697
- Total Covid patients in ICU: 289
- Total Covid patients on vents: 116
2:52 p.m.
The Arkansas Department of Health has reported a total of 945 new COVID-19 cases and 23 new deaths from the virus since yesterday.
This is the fourth day in a row that hospitalizations have spiked across the state.
Gov. Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers: "We continue to see a high level of hospitalizations across the state. This increase can affect everyone, even those who have not contracted COVID-19. We all have a responsibility to our friends, family, and neighbors to do our part as we fight this virus."
Below are the weekends statewide hospitalization numbers as reported to us by hospitals and as of 2 p.m.:
Sunday, November 8
- Current hospitalizations: 741
- Total Beds: 9,144
- Total Beds Available: 2,414
- Total ICU Beds: 1,082
- Total ICU Beds Available: 111
- Total Vents: 1,072
- Total Vents Available: 708
- Total Covid patients in ICU: 268
- Total Covid patients on vents: 104
We will update hits article with more information as it becomes available.