Gov. Asa Hutchinson COVID Update

A surge in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations has prompted state officials to reimplement Arkansas’ emergency health declaration immediately, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced today. 

 The Arkansas Department of Health reported more than 2,800 new cases of the virus on Thursday – one of the highest single-day increases since the pandemic began. This one-day total follows several days with more than 1,000 daily new cases. Hospitalizations are also on the rise and hit the four-digit mark for the first time since the start of the year with 1,056 Arkansans currently hospitalized due to the virus. 

 These dramatic increases, part of what health officials call a third wave of COVID-19 infections in Arkansas, prompted renewal of the emergency declaration which expired back on May 31. Gov. Hutchinson announced the renewal during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

 As part of the declaration, Hutchinson said the state is reimplementing a number of measures to ease the current shortage in hospital staff. Those include renewing the treatment compact between Arkansas and neighboring states as well as easing licensure requirements for retired healthcare workers who want to reenter the field. In addition, Hutchinson said he is seeking federal help to bring more emergency medical services to Arkansas. 

 Hutchison added the state has no intentions of reimplementing mask mandates or restrictions in businesses. Hutchinson also said he is calling a special session of the Arkansas Legislature next week to amend Act 1002, which prohibits school districts from implementing their own measures against COVID-19. 

 As of Thursday, more than 382,000 Arkansans have contracted COVID-19 since the spring of 2020. Of those, 6,110 have passed away due to the virus. Active cases continue to increase into some of the highest levels ever seen, with more than 14,000 currently confirmed or probable active COVID-19 cases in the state.