Arkansas lawmakers approve COVID-19 fund as virus cases rise

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Photo: Signs outside the state Capitol in Little Rock include reminders about social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak, Friday. The state Senate met at the Capitol to take up a plan to set up a $173 million rainy day fund to address a budget shortfall projected because of the outbreak. (AP Photo/Andrew Demillo)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas lawmakers have approved a plan to create a fund to fight the coronavirus outbreak as cases in the state continue to multiply. The Arkansas Department of Health on Friday said the number of cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, increased to at least 381. The state had at least 349 the previous day. The House and Senate unanimously approved legislation moving the state’s $173 million surplus into a “COVID-19 Rainy Day Fund” the governor could access. Both chambers planned final votes on the proposal early Saturday morning.

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