Arkansas COVID-19 cases up to 4,164

(05/12/20)  Arkansas COVID-19 cases up to 4,164  The following stats were shared Tuesday at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 news conference in Little Rock and posted on the Arkansas Department of Health’s website:

• 4,164 total confirmed cases, up 121 from 4,043 on Monday.
• 849 active cases, up 46 from Monday.
• 3,220 recoveries, up 71 from Monday.
• 95 deaths, up one from Monday.
• 59 cases requiring hospitalization, down two from Monday.
• 12 cases on a ventilator, up one from Monday.
• 299 nursing home residents infected, up 10 from Monday.
• 119 cases in Garland County, no change from Monday.
• 113 recoveries in Garland County, no change from Monday.
• 1 death in Garland County, no change from Monday.

Of the new 121 cases, 100 are from the community and 21 are from correctional facilities. Of the 100 community cases, 27 are from St. Francis County, where the Federal Correctional Institute is located. There was a total of 1,753 test results received since Monday, and Dr. Nate Smith continued to encourage anyone experiencing symptoms or with known contact to the virus to get tested, particularly since the state has ample supplies and testing locations. He said he is concerned about the 100 community cases that have arisen since yesterday, but that he is more concerned about the possible cases we do not know about. Hutchinson and Smith both shared that the goal, or primary focus, is to identify spikes in new cases and, through testing and contact tracing, work to ensure spikes do not develop into hot spots.

Hutchinson provided two future dates on which announcements will be made regarding possible lifting of restrictions. On May 18, the governor will make an announcement about the future reopening of bars. On May 20, he will provide an outlook for summer camps and team sports.

The state received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 50 doses of Remdesivir, which the Arkansas Department of Health will distribute to healthcare providers who are treating more severe COVID-19 patients. Smith said it is not a miracle drug, but it has shown to help some patients recover.