(04/30/20) Arkansas COVID-19 cases up to 3,255; gyms to reopen on May 4 At Governor Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 press conference, the following updates as of 1:30 p.m. were shared:
- 3,255 total confirmed cases (up 63 from 3,192 on April 29)
- 1,888 active cases (up four)
- 1,305 recovered (up 56)
- 116 confirmed cases in Garland County (from the ADH COVID-19 status page)
- 95 COVID-19 patients in the hospital (up two)
- 61 deaths (up two)
- 23 patients currently on a ventilator (up five)
Gov. Hutchinson and Dr. Nate Smith shared that a total 2,520 test reports have been received since yesterday, making the last 24 hours the largest single day of tests in Arkansas. There was an overall 1.5% positivity rate from those tests.
The governor announced today that beginning May 4, gyms and fitness/athletic centers will be allowed to reopen with the following restrictions: screening for staff and patrons, and temperature checks for staff; face coverings for staff and patrons, except when actively exercising; no use of pools, spas, showers or saunas; sanitizing of equipment after each use; and a 12-foot distance while working out and during training sessions and classes. There is a directive prohibiting summer youth and teen sports, but the governor plans to make an announcement mid- to late-May about when those restrictions may be lifted.
The governor reminded Arkansans that even though restrictions are beginning to be lifted, this pandemic still needs to be taken very seriously. “It’s all up to us how we do on this, individually and collectively, as to whether we make progress and are able to open more up, or are not successful and have to retreat,” he said.