Featured image: Gov. Asa Hutchinson at Friday’s COVID-19 statewide briefing.
During the past 24 hours, 848 coronavirus cases in Arkansas have been reported, according to officials at Friday afternoon’s statewide COVID-19 briefing from Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
That figure brings the total number to 59,583 cases.
Eleven counties in the state are reporting 20 or more new cases over 24 hours with Pulaski County leading the way with 65 new cases. Independence County joined the group of 11 with 20 new cases.
Hutchinson said of the 838 new cases, 181 are in correctional facilities.
The information comes from 6,360 tests completed within the last 24 hours.
Deaths increased by 17 and now total 756 in Arkansas. Hospitalizations are down to 407. Ninety-five are on ventilators, down 4.
There are currently 5,496 active cases in the state. There have been 52,665 recoveries.
Education Secretary Johnny Key said the first week back to school was successful, saying no new districts have had to modify their plans. However, there have been reports of cases on some college campuses, including the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. Health Director Dr. Jose Romero said the close quarters of living on campus will always carry the potential for any type of spread.
Romero and Hutchinson stressed again that all citizens need to be aggressive in social distancing, sanitizing, and wearing a mask to help fight the pandemic.
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