(07/08/20) Increase of 734 new cases

Drop of 11 hospitalizations

The following statistics were shared Wednesday, July 8, at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 news conference in Little Rock and posted on the Arkansas Department of Health’s website:

• 25,246 total confirmed cases, up 734 from 24,512 on Tuesday.
• 5,545 active cases, up 59 from Tuesday.
• 19,396, recoveries, up 671 from Tuesday.
• 305 deaths, up four from Tuesday.
• 358 cases requiring hospitalization, down 11 from Tuesday.
• 79 cases requiring a ventilator, down four from Tuesday.  
• 293 cumulative cases in Garland County, up five from Tuesday.
• 74 active cases in Garland County, down one from Tuesday.
• 218 recoveries in Garland County, up six from Tuesday.
• 1 death in Garland County, no change from Tuesday.

In the past 24 hours, the number of new cases was 734, with 104 from correctional facilities and 630 from the community. The counties with the highest number of new cases are Pulaski (87), Washington (72), Benton (60), Pope (46), Mississippi (39), Yell (32), Johnson (26) and Saline (21). There were a total of 4,567 test results reported in the past 24 hours.

Dr. Nate Smith said that Camp Ozark in Mount Ida experienced some cases among out-of-state campers and counselors. They initially sent some campers and counselors home. “As they had additional cases, they made the decision on their own to close down for now. We support that decision, and we appreciate them partnering with us and we will continue to work with them in whatever way needed. We will also do the same for other summer camps.”

The governor referenced the new counties making the list of those in the state with more than 20 cases in 24 hours, saying it “shows that our testing is very widespread and we’re detecting new elements of the virus that we can then go in and isolate. It’s also a significant alert to those counties that have not been in the top 10 counties previously that there’s not any place that’s immune from this, and we have to continue to be careful.”

Steuart Walton, chair of the Economic Recovery Task Force, shared results of a statewide survey of 600 adults in Arkansas. A total of 82% said they wear personal protective equipment (PPE), like a mask, while in public. A breakdown of age groups shows an increase in PPE use with an increase in age. In terms of directives on health and closing of businesses and schools, 55% prefer a regional approach for directives on health and closings of businesses and schools, compared to 35% who prefer a statewide approach. Of those who work outside of their home, 58% feel their workplace is following proper protocols and guidelines, while 9% said they do not think their workplace is following protocols. With regards to resumption of large events, 54% oppose the resumption while 37% are in favor of them resuming. From adults with children, 59% said they are likely to send their children back to school in the fall for in-person instruction, while 32% are unlikely to do so. Just over half of respondents, 55%, said they were comfortable doing everyday activities, like going to the grocery store, while 41% said they are uncomfortable doing in-person activities.