At his statewide COVID-19 briefing, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday there were 261 new coronavirus cases in the state since Wednesday.
It is the largest single-day increase in community cases so far. Community cases mean these cases are not in rest homes or the prison system, but in communities across the state. Most of the cases are in Washington and Benton Counties in northwest Arkansas, and Pulaski County in central Arkansas.
The 261 new community cases bring the state’s total of positive coronavirus cases to 6,538. These 261 new cases bring the active cases total to over 1,800, along with five more deaths, bringing that total to 125.
It should also be noted that the state is seeing rapid increases among Hispanic communities. The majority of cases across the state are in the age group of 17 to 44. For example, Craighead County’s (the Jonesboro area) average age of an infected person is 26.
The governor said testing is available at local Arkansas Department of Health units for those without symptoms. Some testing events will be hosted in the areas showing the most case growth.
And, the governor also noted at the briefing that the Arkansas Economic Team’s preliminary report will be published tomorrow on the Arkansas Ready for Business website.
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