Arkansas COVID-19 cases up 687 to 18,062

(06/25/20) Arkansas COVID-19 cases up 687 to 18,062

The following stats were shared Thursday at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 news conference in Little Rock and posted on the Arkansas Department of Health’s website:

• 18,062 total confirmed cases, up 687 from 17,375 on Wednesday.
• 5,695 active cases, up 128 from Wednesday.
• 12,127 recoveries, up 559 from Wednesday.
• 242 deaths, up two from Wednesday.
• 284 cases requiring hospitalization, up 17 from Wednesday.
• 66 cases requiring a ventilator, up eight from Wednesday.  
• 191 cases in Garland County, up eight from Wednesday.
• 30 active cases in Garland County, up six from Wednesday.
• 160 recoveries in Garland County, up two from Wednesday.
• 1 death in Garland County, no change from Wednesday.

As of Thursday, June 25, there were a total of 6,652 test results compiled in the past 24 hours, which brings the new June testing total to 141,515 individuals tested in Arkansas.

Of the 687 new cases, there are 168 in correctional facilities and 519 in the community.

Of the 5,695 active cases, there are 104 cases in nursing homes, 841 case in correctional facilities and 4,750 cases in the community. Overall average positivity rate is at 6.5% of positive COVID-19 tests in Arkansas.

Over the last 24 hours, the counties with the highest number of new cases are Washington (96), Benton (45), Pulaski (44), Lonoke (26), Sebastian (26) and the rest are under 20.

The Lonoke County cases are partly due to the local training academy.

The overall Arkansas chart for the “Seven-day Rolling Average of New COVID-19 Cases” are showing an increasing trend. Benton and Washington counties are showing downward trends. However, Hutchinson stated, “this is important to see, to give hope, to show that if we have the right behavior - we can reduce the number of new cases and the spread of the virus...when there is a concentration of effort, in masks, in social distancing, taking it seriously, and in testing and isolation, it can make a difference in the community.”

The state of Arkansas is testing at a rate of 925 residents per 10,000 residents. Benton County has 12,000 residents being tested, while Washington County only has 650 residents being tested (rate per 10,000 residents).

Hutchinson emphasized that “individuals have largely the same availability to resources through the state whether it is through clinics, hospitals, mobile units, or testing times. The tests will be paid for, you won’t have to worry about the tests coming out of your pocket.”