Saturday saw the state’s largest single-day increase in positive COVID-19 testing, according to officials at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Sunday’s press briefing. The number of positive cases now stands at 830, 87 more than Saturday’s number of 743.
Despite the increase, Hutchinson said Arkansas is still beating projected trends, thanks, in part, to the state’s targeted response and adherence to guidelines. According to the governor, Arkansas was projected to have 2,000 positive cases by this time in April.
Heather Larkin with the Arkansas Community Foundation announced a COVID-19 relief fund for non-profit Arkansas businesses. The Tyson Foundation, Riggs-Cat, Walmart, and the Walton Family Foundation were some organizations that have donated or pledged $2 million to the fund. And Laura Landreaux, the CEO of Entergy Arkansas, said at the briefing the company will be temporarily suspending disconnections for non-payment. Entergy also announced a donation of $100,000 to the ACF fund. For more information on the ACF fund, click here.
Other announcements from the briefing:
- Of the 830 positive cases, 114 are health care workers. That figure is up eight from Saturday.
- The current number of deaths is up two, to 16.
- Ninety-seven have recovered.
- There are currently 67 hospitalized, down five from Saturday.
- The number of confirmed cases at the federal correctional facility in Forrest City is now up to 14. Hutchinson said a team from the Centers for Disease Control is en route to the facility to help with the outbreak.
- Two new counties have been added to those with positive cases: Phillips and Yell counties.
- Health Director Dr. Nate Smith announced there are over 700 ventilators in the state. Approximately 200 of those ventilators are currently in use. Of that 200, only 27 are in use for COVID-19 patients. There are currently approximately 500 ventilators still available for use.
***
The new White River Now mobile app has started featuring regular COVID-19 updates and podcasts. In addition to the updates featured on the White River Now family of radio stations, the COVID-19 podcast section also features new interviews with Sen. James Sturch, Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, Stone County Judge Stacey Avey, and state Rep. Stu Smith. Download the free White River Now app today from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, and keep up-to-date on all local and state coronavirus information and to listen to the streams of White River Now radio stations.
We also carry live feeds of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s COVID-19’s briefings on-air, on White River Now’s Facebook page, and through the White River Now app on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ.
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. on Ozark Newsline, broadcast from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and 99.5 Hits Now. Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Add don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
