Arkansas COVID-19 cases up 71 to 1,094

(04/09/20) Arkansas COVID-19 cases up 71 to 1,094  At Governor Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 press conference, the following updates as of 1:30 p.m. were shared:

• 1,094 total confirmed cases (up 71 from 1,023 on April 8)
• 841 active cases, discounting recoveries and deaths
• 73 COVID-19 patients in the hospital (down three); there were 21 newly hospitalized, while 24 were discharged from the hospital
• 31 patients currently on a ventilator (up one)
• 21 COVID-19-related deaths (up three); two of the deceased were in their 60s, and one was in their 70s
• 253 COVID-19 patients recovered (up 45)
• 158 healthcare workers with COVID-19 (up 18)

Hutchinson shared several new COVID-19-related charts and graphs. One showed Arkansas compared to all SEC/southern states with hospitalizations per 100,000 residents. Arkansas was the lowest at 2.6 per 100,000. Another graph compared the projected use of hospital beds to the actual numbers, with data from the University of Washington’s projections. At this point, Arkansas was projected to need around 170 hospital beds for COVID-19, yet the state’s actual need has been around 70. The Governor attributed these positive numbers to Arkansans following the social distancing guidelines.

“I want to urge all Arkansans, as we approach this weekend, we do not need to take anything for granted. Understand where we are and the importance of not violating the limitations on social gatherings,” said Hutchinson. “We need to restrain ourselves; we need to follow the guidelines and wear your mask if you can’t socially distance. Protect yourself and protect others.”

Dr. Nate Smith explained that since Arkansas said that since Arkansas is surrounded by states with higher numbers of COVID-19 cases, anyone traveling into Arkansas from these areas or any other area of higher case counts should self-quarantine for 14 days.

Dr. Richard Smith, chair of Psychiatry at UAMS, encouraged everyone to be mindful of maintaining his or her mental health and assisting others where it is feasible and safe.

"Multiple times a day, we need to pause, disconnect from the urgency of the situation, take a deep breath and relax,” he said. “This is reminiscent of the flood we faced last year. We knew it was coming for weeks, and even after it crested, the water was high and dangerous for weeks to come. Unfortunately, the same is true for this crisis. However, just like the flood, this crisis too will end and we will return slowly to normal activities.”

Paula Stone, deputy director at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, said that every Arkansan has the ability to access mental health or addiction services. For those with health insurance, call your insurance and they can help you find a provider. For those with Medicaid, without insurance or without guidance from your insurance, calls can be made to the DHS Mental Health and Addiction Services Support Line at 844-763-0918, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.