State Update on COVID -19
Arkansas’ daily COVID-19 caseload continues to increase at the highest rate since the start of the pandemic. That was part of the message relayed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson during his weekly COVID-19 Taskforce press conference Tuesday afternoon.
Hutchinson said the higher daily case increases are not surprising given the worsening COVID-19 situation across the nation. He reported an additional 1,424 new cases on Tuesday – the second highest since the pandemic began. The state hit its highest one-day increase this past Saturday with a total of 1,870 new cases. More than 124,000 Arkansans have now caught COVID-19 since the outbreak started in the spring.
Other figures reported on Tuesday include an additional 24 hospitalizations. That leaves a total of 810 Arkansans currently hospitalized due to COVID-19. Deaths fortunately saw their smallest increase in many days with just four reported over the past 24 hours. The death toll due to COVID-19 now numbers 2,112. Nearly 9,000 tests were performed since Monday.
State officials said a number of new COVID-19 clusters are being traced to church services. Dr. Sonny Tucker, Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, urged churchgoers and worship leaders to continue to be cautious and follow state guidelines in regards to churches in Arkansas.
Hutchison shared health data showing Arkansans aged 65 and older remain the most at-risk in the pandemic. But they are quickly trailed by youth up to 17-years-old. Although deaths among that age group are virtually non-existent, that data does show children pose a high risk of transmitting COVID-19 to older Arkansans.
Given that risk, Arkansas Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero said he urges Arkansans to avoid risky holiday get-togethers with older family and friends who reside in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities.
Dr. Romero is hopeful, however, that a successful vaccine will reach Arkansas in the near future.
Finally, Johnny Key, commissioner for the Arkansas Department of Education, addressed a rumor suggesting schools in Arkansas will end in-person learning after the Thanksgiving holiday. He said the rumor is false and no plans are in place to mandate statewide school closings.
In review, state officials reported an additional 1,424 cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. That raises the state’s cumulative total of COVID-19 transmissions to more than 124,000. Nearly 110,000 of those have caught the virus and since recovered. Deaths increased by four to 2,112 and hospitalizations by 24 to 810. Nearly 9,000 tests were performed over the past 24 hours.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on all the latest.
