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Arkansas reaches nearly 900 coronavirus deaths

Arkansas has reported a total of 65,377 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began on March 11th.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Last Wednesday, FEMA’s grant funding will allow Arkansas to provide $300 per week, on top of their regular unemployment benefit, to those unemployed due to COVID-19.

Arkansas on Thursday reported at least 411 students, teachers and staff at public schools are actively infected with the coronavirus as the state's new cases continued rising.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson urged people to set the right example and to wear a mask after being asked about Attorney General Leslie Rutledge posting photos of not wearing a mask or social distancing at a Republic National Convention event at the White House.

Key facts to know:

  • 65,377 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas 
  • 6,188 active cases
  • 894 reported deaths
  • 389 hospitalizations
  • 78 on ventilators
  • 58,295 recoveries

Sunday, September 6

4:30 p.m.

The Arkansas Department of Health reported 687 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas, bringing the total to 65,377. A total of 5,923 people were tested over the last 24 hours.

Saturday, September 5

2:30 p.m.

The Arkansas Department of Health confirms 515 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas, bringing the total to 64,690. There have been nine more deaths related to COVID-19 within the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 873.

There are currently 5,840 active cases in the state with 385 people hospitalized and 78 on ventilators. There have been 57,968 recoveries.

Watch Friday's 1:30 p.m. press conference:

Friday, September 4

1:40 p.m.

Gov. Hutchinson said the highest region with COVID-19 cases is Northwest Arkansas, with Southwest Arkansas being the lowest.

The governor also spoke with the University of Arkansas chancellor. He said he understands what he is facing and they are taking quick action. He announced the University of Arkansas is banning all gatherings on and off campus of 10 or more. He also said the school will use the student code of conduct to ensure compliance. The University will also be devoting additional law enforcement resources for different areas, including Dixon to remind students and others to social distance and wear a mask.

Dr. Jose Romero broke down the new COVID-19 cases by county:

  • Washington 215
  • Pulaski 87
  • Benton 56
  • Craighead 47
  • Jefferson 24
  • Sebastian 21

1:30 p.m.

There are 1,094 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas and 12 more deaths. This is the highest number of new COVID-19 cases Arkansas has seen since the pandemic began.

There was a 24-person decrease in hospitalizations.

Gov. Hutchinson reported 11,254 people were tested over the last 24 hours. This is also the highest number of tests the state has seen in one day.

Thursday, September 3

2 p.m.

The statewide hospitalization numbers as provided by the ADH:

  • Current hospitalizations: 425
  • Total Beds: 9,111
  • Total Beds Available: 2,596
  • Total ICU Beds: 1,011
  • Total ICU Beds Available: 149
  • Total vents: 1,056
  • Total vents available: 741
  • Total Covid patients in ICU: 209
  • Total Covid patients on vents: 91

1:50 p.m.

Secretary Graves gave a case count for the Department of Corrections. He said as of this morning, there are 432 cases.

  • Varner 190
  • Wrightsville 81
  • Benton 53

He said next month, the Department of Corrections is implementing a phased reopening of in-person visitation at prisons in Arkansas. Specific elements will be developed over next month, but will likely include:

  • COVID-19 screening
  • Staggered visit hours
  • Utilization of face coverings

1:40 p.m.

There are 969 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas and 20 more deaths. Of the 20 deaths, a cluster of deaths occurred in a Mississippi County nursing home. Dr. Romero said eight of night death occurred there with only one delayed report.

There was a 10-person decrease in hospitalizations.

Gov. Hutchinson reported 7,827 people were tested over the last 24 hours. He said the top county with new COVID-19 is Washington with 211. Reports show 80 percent of the 211 cases were between ages 18-24. Many of the new cases are college students. 

Dr. Jose Romero broke down the new COVID-19 cases by county:

  • Washington 211
  • Pulaski 90
  • Benton 47
  • Jeffferson 38
  • Sebastian 36
  • Saline 33
  • Faulkner 27
  • Craighead 25

1:30 p.m.

The CDC sent a letter on Wednesday, indicating there could be vaccine as early as Nov. 1.

RELATED: CDC tells Arkansas to prepare for COVID-19 vaccine by November

"I have reviewed," Gov. Hutchinson said, "it asks us to expedite development of facilities for storage of vaccine. Dr. Romero is engaged in that review, and we need more info before we can do this."

___________

Wednesday, September 2

1:40 p.m.

Dr. Jose Romero broke down the new COVID-19 cases by county:

  • Washington 67
  • Pulaski 62
  • Benton 60
  • Craighead 49
  • Garland 26
  • Saline 21
  • Mississippi 20

Dr. Romero said universities are seeing more COVID-19 cases on campuses across the state. 

"We want to remind you that you can control this," Dr. Romero said. "Use masks, social distancing, avoid large crowds and parties. Keep in mind the social responsibility you have to the entire society."

1:30 p.m.

There are 615 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas and 27 more deaths. This is the highest one-day death reports to date. Of the 27 deaths, 13 were delayed reportings. Five were from nursing homes.

There was a 12-person increase in hospitalizations.

Gov. Hutchinson reported 4,773 people were tested over the last 24 hours.

____________

Tuesday, September 1

1:40 p.m.

Proportion of COVID-19 deaths with other causes and contributing factors vs. COVID-19 in Arkansas, as reported by death certificates: 

Credit: Data Source: Arkansas Department of Health

Dr. Jose Romero broke down the new COVID-19 cases by county:

  • Pulaski 44
  • Benton 29
  • Sebastian 24
  • Washington 21

Dr. Romero reiterated that there is no charge or fee for COVID-19 testing. It is open to public.

Credit: Data Source: Arkansas Department of Health

1:30 p.m.

There are 273 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas and 17 more deaths. This is the first time Arkansas has seen the number of new daily COVID-19 cases below 300 since June 15. Of the of 17 deaths, there were five from nursing homes, one from prison, but there was no clustering observed.

There was a 3-person increase in hospitalizations.

Gov. Hutchinson reported 3,530 people were tested over the last 24 hours. He said yesterday was really low testing and the state hasn't seen testing that low since early July.

There is a 78.9 percent recovery rate in Arkansas, for people who go to the hospital with COVID-19.

_________

Monday, August 31

1:40 p.m.

The governor said 11,300 tests will be added into the system. 

"We believe all of these were negative tests," he said. "A commercial lab was not reporting all of the negative tests to the department of health so those numbers will be corrected."

Dr. Jose Romero broke down the new COVID-19 cases by county:

  • Pulaski 50
  • Pope 41
  • Benton 30 
  • Garland 21  

Secretary Johnny Key said two districts have modified their learning plan. Cross County School District moved to virtual for high school and are using this day to work with ADH.

Searcy County School's Marshall High School has also gone to virtual. Both changes were made because of staffing that must quarantine.

"This is a good example of how our Ready of Learning Plan is being implemented because they still have several grades still on campus," Secretary Key said. 

1:30 p.m.

There are 368 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas and 13 more deaths. Six deaths were delayed reporting. Two happened in nursing homes. There were no correctional facility deaths.

There was a 29-person increase in hospitalizations.

Gov. Hutchinson reported 4,542 people were tested over the last 24 hours.

"Testing is down a little bit because it's a Monday after a weekend," Gov. Hutchinson said, "but I hope it goes back up because the last three days were very strong."

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