Arkansas COVID-19 cases up 358 to 8,425

(06/04/20)  Arkansas COVID-19 cases up 358 to 8,425  The following stats were shared Thursday at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 news conference in Little Rock and posted on the Arkansas Department of Health’s website:

• 8,425 total confirmed cases, up 358 from 8,067 on Wednesday.
• 2,355 active cases, up 147 from Wednesday.
• 5,919 recoveries, up 202 from Wednesday.
• 151 deaths, up nine from Wednesday.
• 137 cases requiring hospitalization, down one from Wednesday.
• 32 cases on a ventilator, up two from Wednesday.
• 138 cases in Garland County, up two from Wednesday.
• 132 recoveries in Garland County, up two from Wednesday.
• 1 death in Garland County, no change from Wednesday.

Of the 358 new cases announced today, 356 were from the community. There were a total of 4,350 tests results received with a positivity rate of 5.2%. Dr. Nate Smith shared his appreciation for the staff of the Arkansas Department of Health Public Health Lab as they have been working 24/7 and have brought in new technology to help in their efforts. They recorded their first day of more than 800 tests processed yesterday with a total of 824. UAMS also processed more than 300 tests.  

The Northwest region of the state continues to spike in cases. That region had 234 of the new cases in the past 24 hours, or 65.4% of the day’s total. Relating to hospitalizations, 48, or 35% of the total, are in the Northwest region. The other regions’ portions of the new cases are 37 from the Central region, or 10.3%; 31 from the Northeast region, or 8.7%; 19 from the Southwest region, or 5.3%; and 12 from the Southeast region, or 3.4%.

Hutchinson shared slides illustrating what he and Smith described as five different epidemics and timelines in the state related to the five regions. He hinted at the idea of advancing to Phase 2 of reopening and lifting of restrictions based on a regional approach, rather than the statewide perspective that has been used up to this point. He said they first need to ascertain if ample tests are being performed in each region, particularly in the Southeast where he has heard concerns of a possible lack in testing. More information will be shared next week on the regional approach.  

The counties with the highest number of cases today are Washington (111), Benton (92), Pulaski (34), Crittenden (12) and Sevier (10). A total of 50% of the individuals from today’s new cases have Spanish surnames.