Governor’s Update

Arkansas health officials are noting a dramatic increase in child hospitalizations due to COVID-19.

During the state’s weekly COVID-19 Taskforce update Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Jose Romero said hospitalizations among Arkansas children numbered 142 in August of this year as compared to 77 in December of 2020 – an increase of more than 84 percent. Romero added that vaccinations remain available for all Arkansas children aged 12 and up. 

Gov. Asa Hutchinson also spoke of his recent trip to the U.S./Mexico border to detail the developing immigration crisis, and the role played by Arkansas National Guardsmen deployed to the region.

Regarding the state’s COVID-19 figures, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 882 new cases on Wednesday for a total of just under 500,000 since the pandemic began. Active cases fell by 217 on Wednesday for a current total of 7,879 across the state. Deaths increased by six over the same period for 7,781 since the spring of 2020. Hospitalizations fell by 40 to leave 624 Arkansans currently hospitalized due to the virus. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 1.3 million Arkansans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.