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Arkansas reports 1,352 new COVID-19 cases, record-high hospitalizations

Arkansas health officials are dealing with a surge in record coronavirus cases and hospitalizations as Gov. Hutchinson looks to a task force for recommendations.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas broke another single day record with 2,312 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, Nov. 13. Hospitalizations also broke a record that day with a new total of 826.

The Arkansas Department of Health also confirmed over 16,000 active cases in the state on Sunday.

Moderna said Monday its COVID-19 vaccine is proving to be highly effective in a major trial, the second dash of hope in the global race for a shot to tame a resurgent virus that is now killing more than 8,000 people a day worldwide.

(Eds. note: This article was last updated on Nov. 23.)

Key facts to know:

  • 128,493 confirmed cases
  • 16,680 probable cases
  • 13,714 active confirmed cases
  • 3,932 active probable cases
  • 2,161 confirmed deaths
  • 196 probable deaths
  • 962 hospitalizations 
  • 163 on ventilators
  • 112,602 confirmed recoveries
  • 12,551 probable recoveries

Watch Gov. Hutchinson 2:30 p.m. press conference:

Sunday, Nov. 22

The Arkansas Department of Health announced 1,352 new COVID-19 cases in the state within 24 hours and 20 more deaths.

Saturday, Nov. 21

The Arkansas Department of Health announced 1,905 new COVID-19 cases in state within 24 hours and 16 more deaths.

Of the 1,905 cases, 1,433 are confirmed and 472 are probable. All 16 deaths have been confirmed.

A total of 12,477 PCR tests and 2,491 antigen tests were given within the past 24 hours.

Friday, Nov. 20

2:30 p.m.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced 2,061 new COVID-19 cases and 935 total hospitalizations, which is a new record high for the state.

A total of 24 more people have died.

Hutchinson also said the state had record testing in a 24 hour period. A total of 15,095 PCR tests and 3,383 antigen tests were completed, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Thursday, Nov. 19

The Arkansas Department of Health confirmed 2,238 total new positive COVID-19 cases since yesterday, less than 100 from the record-breaking number of cases in a single day reported.

There have also been 22 deaths from the virus, totaling nearly 3,000 deaths from coronavirus in the state.

A total of 11,560 PCR tests and 2,034 antigen tests were completed over the last 24 hours.

Gov. Hutchinson also announced Thursday that businesses that have licenses to sell alcohol must close by 11 p.m.

RELATED: Gov. Hutchinson announces businesses selling alcohol must close by 11 p.m.

Currently, there are only 68 ICU beds available across all of Arkansas and 899 people are hospitalized with COVID-19.

Below are today’s statewide hospitalization numbers as reported to us by hospitals and as of 2 p.m. today:

  • Current hospitalizations: 899
  • Total Beds: 9,144
  • Total Beds Available: 2,428
  • Total ICU Beds: 1,124
  • Total ICU Beds Available: 68
  • Total Vents: 1,028
  • Total Vents Available: 618
  • Total Covid patients in ICU: 361
  • Total Covid patients on vents: 146

Wednesday, Nov. 18

The Arkansas Department of Health has reported 1,715 new COVID-19 cases with 1,328 being confirmed and 387 being probable.

Another 30 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported and the amount of hospitalizations is at 901. The amount of COVID-19 patients on ventilators is at a record of 143.

A total of 9,924 PCR tests and 2,467 antigen tests were completed over the last 24 hours.

“Our hospitalizations again reached an all-time high today. This puts a strain on our medical teams and it’s never been more important for all of us to do our part and be part of the solution," Gov. Hutchinson said.

Watch weekly COVID-19 update here:

Tuesday, Nov. 17

1:50 p.m.

Cares Committee and Arkansas Legislature approved $50 million for a grant program for businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The BIG (Business Interruption Grant Program) grant is available to hospitality and personal care industries. BIG grants will be provided based on reimbursement of certain things. 

The portal for applications opened Monday, Nov. 16 and will be open through Nov 25. This is not first come, first serve.

Go to ArkansasReady.com for a link to the portal.

1:45 p.m.

Dr. Romero gives a break down of new COVID-19 cases by county:

  • Pulaski 148
  • Washington 133
  • Benton 102
  • Faulkner 59
  • Saline 59

"This is like a boulder rolling down a hill," Dr. Romero said. "There will come a time when we cannot stop it. Now is the time to act. I cannot stress enough the three W's."

1:30 p.m.

The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,554 new coronavirus cases in the state over the last 24 hours.

Of those 1,545 cases, 1,145 were confirmed cases and 409 were probable cases.

There have been 20 more deaths from the virus in Arkansas.

Hospitalizations increased by 34 and brought the total to 895. 

11:30 a.m.

A White House panel says the coronavirus situation is worsening in Arkansas and is recommending limiting restaurants' indoor capacity in most of the state to less than 25%.

_______

Monday, Nov. 16

The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,308 total new cases with 1,165 being confirmed and 143 being probable.

Health officials also reported 42 more deaths due to COVID-19, which is a record for the amount of deaths announced in a day.

Arkansas has also reached a new record in COVID-19 hospitalizations as 861 people are currently in the hospital due to the virus.

Total ICU beds across the state still remain under 100, with 340 COVID-19 patients in ICU and 124 on ventilators.

"The 42 new deaths is regrettably an all-time high in a single day. While there is good news on the vaccine front this morning, we have to work together to reduce cases, hospitalizations and save lives,” Governor Asa Hutchinson said.

A total of 10,329 PCR tests and 620 antigen tests were completed over the last 24 hours.

Below are the weekends statewide hospitalization numbers as reported to us by hospitals and as of 2 p.m.: 

  • Current hospitalizations: 861
  • Total Beds: 9,144
  • Total Beds Available: 2,392
  • Total ICU Beds: 1,103
  • Total ICU Beds Available: 87
  • Total Vents: 1,036
  • Total Vents Available: 626
  • Total Covid patients in ICU: 340
  • Total Covid patients on vents: 124

We will update hits article with more information as it becomes available.

   

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