Statewide cases at 643; Garland County total is 37

(04/02/20) Statewide cases at 643; Garland County total is 37  At Governor Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 press conference, updates were given regarding the crisis that included the state’s current total number of cases: 643. This total is up 59 from yesterday’s number of 584.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard, the number of positive cases in Garland County has risen to 37, with a total of 152 negative test results.

Among the statewide total of 643, there are 20 children (ages 18 and younger), 440 adults (ages 19-64) and 183 older adults (ages 65 and above). There were an additional two deaths; both had underlying health issues. The number of healthcare workers who have tested positive is up seven from yesterday to a total of 91. That total includes 10 physicians, 26 nurses and 4 certified nurse assistants (CNAs). There are currently 66 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with 23 on ventilators. A total of 47 have recovered, which is up five from yesterday.

Hutchinson, in response to many questioning why Arkansas is only but a few states left that have not issued stay at home orders, explained that the state’s targeted approach to mitigating COVID-19 has thus far been successful at flattening the curve of new cases to levels below previous projections. The steps taken by the state – closing schools, restaurants and bars (except for dine-out), hair salons and barber shops, tattoo shops, gyms, movie theaters, etc. – have exceed steps taken in other states that have issued stay at home orders. He concluded that he and his task force will continue to make decisions based on good public health data. He said most Arkansans are following the mitigation steps, and official actions are taken when reports are made about groups not doing so.