(05/05/20) Arkansas COVID-19 cases up to 3,496; residential overnight travelers allowed from all states without hot-spots At Governor Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 press conference, the following updates as of 1:30 p.m. were shared:
- 3,496 total confirmed cases (up 38 from 3,458 on May 4)
- 1,364 active cases
- 2,050 recovered (up 34)
- 117 confirmed cases in Garland County (from the ADH COVID-19 status page); 106 recovered
- 89 COVID-19 patients in the hospital (down two)
- 83 deaths (up two)
- 16 patients currently on a ventilator (no change)
- 261 nursing home COVID-19 cases (up 16); 148 staff (up one)
The restriction of overnight recreational travelers has been lifted for those coming from states without hot-spots, which may be adjusted by Dr. Nate Smith as the pandemic progresses. Current hot-spots include New York, New Orleans, New Jersey and Connecticut. Anyone coming from a hot-spot would be expected to self-quarantine for 14 days if they come into the state. According to Hutchinson, the objective of lifting this restriction is to allow hotels and lodges to extend occupancy to those who may come to Arkansas from our neighboring states, many of which have low numbers or are not accelerating in cases.
Hutchinson also extended the state’s emergency declaration, which would have expired on May 21, for an additional 45 days.
The governor shared that the monthly revenue report that indicated the state revenue is down 28.3% from the same time last year. He is pleased, however, that these revenues beat the projections that were lowered when the pandemic made it clear revenues would drop dramatically. “While our economy has taken a hit, it has not taken the same nosedive that we have seen in some other states,” he said.