Gov. Hutchinson Update

A military medical team will soon arrive in Arkansas to help respond to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the strain it has put on the state’s medical facilities, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced on Wednesday.

During a press conference held yesterday afternoon, Hutchinson said the 20-member team will include 14 nurses, four physicians and two respiratory therapists. The military team will be based from the UAMS hospital in Little Rock.

Hutchinson then gave an update on the state’s effort to streamline rental assistance for Arkansans with mounting back rent. He said part of that effort includes prioritizing applications received from those currently facing eviction. In addition, tenants can now receive assistance even in their landlord has not completed their part of the rental assistance application.

In terms of Arkansas’ COVID-19 figures, the state reported nearly 2,200 new cases on Wednesday along with 34 additional deaths. Hospitalizations did see a slight decline, falling by 19 to 1,209 currently. Nearly 500 COVID-19 patients were in intensive care units as of Wednesday, leaving just 23 ICU beds across the state.