COVID-19 Arkansas

ARK COVID-19 -  Arkansas has seen its largest single-day increase in new coronavirus cases among non-incarcerated people.     Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Friday that  703 people tested positive  including 41 inmates at correctional facilities. An additional six deaths from COVID-19 increased the state’s death toll to over 200.   Speaking in his daily briefing, Hutchinson explained the State Department of Health’s Guidelines that strongly recommend people wear face-mask protection in the workplace and in public as doing so would reduce community spread of the disease. 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  As more state economies re-open during the Coronavirus pandemic,  there have been growing concerns among business owners and operators  about exposure to not just Covid-19 but also to legal liabilities should a customer or employee claim they contracted the illness while  at  the business.  State lawmakers in Arkansas had considered holding a special session to address passing immunity bills however majority support from both house and senate had paved the way for  Governor Asa Hutchinson  to sign  three executive orders yesterday  that included Covid-19

ARKANSAS COVID-19 SPIKE -  Arkansas has hit another one-day record for new coronavirus cases, and the governor says plans to further loosen restrictions on businesses remains on hold because of the spike.  Appearing at a press conference with the Covid-19 update, Governor Asa Hutchinson revealed the numbers.      

"Since yesterday we have an additional 375 cases here in Arkansas which is the highest number of community cases that we've seen in a one-day span of time," Hutchinson explained.

SURGE IN YOUNGER PEOPLE - While health officials have stressed that those who are at most risk for getting the Covid19 illness are elderly and in poor health,  there has been an uptick in cases among younger people.  Such is the case in Arkansas as yesterday Governor Asa Hutchinson revealed some new data during his press conference update on the status of Covid19 in the state.

"The cases grew from 190 on May 17th to 278," explained Hutchinson. "That's a 46% increase among the zero-to-17 (years) age group."
 

ARKANSAS  MEMORIAL SERVICE  -  While  many traditional  Memorial Day ceremonies  had  been canceled  across  the  nation  due  Covid-19  public safety concerns,  there was a smaller event that took place yesterday in Arkansas as Governor Asa Hutchinson took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Arkansas State  Veterans  Cemetary  in  North  Little  Rock.   Although  the  service  was  not  open to the public, Governor Hutchinson made some remarks as the event was being streamed live on the internet.

ARKANSAS GOVERNOR  MEETS PRESIDENT TRUMP – On Wednesday President  Donald Trump met with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly  to discuss the coronavirus pandemic.   Following brief remarks from all, the president answered reporters' questions on a number of topics including mail-in ballots and the president’s concerns with them.  Many states are considering  emergency mail-in voting so as to provide voters access and protection from getting infected by the Coronavirus.  The President asked Governor Hutchinson share some thoughts on Mail-In Voting. 

ARKANSAS NURSING HOMES – Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has a goal to test 2% of the state’s population for the coronavirus by the end of May, Hutchinson announced he also wants to test every resident and employee of nursing homes in Arkansas . He made this announcement yesterday at his Covid-19 update in Little Rock.

“This will result in approximately 40,000 to 50,000 new tests simply by testing staff and nursing home residents next month, in June, in those facilities,” Hutchinson explained.
 

LOWER THAN EXPECTED - Arkansas health officials say the number of coronavirus cases in the state has risen to  837 and COVID-19 deaths increased to 16. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the number of cases now includes  14  people  at a  federal prison in Forrest City.  He also explained that Arkansas’ COVID-19 case  numbers  are  well below  than  what  earlier projections predicted.

"Today under the projections we were supposed to be at 2, 000 cases," Hutchinson explained. "So instead of 2,000 cases we have 837 cases."