LITTLE ROCK (AP) – Arkansas’ top health official said Tuesday that he’ll leave later this year as the state continued seeing a resurgence of coronavirus cases amid decisions to reopen businesses.Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Dr. Nathaniel Smith, the state’s health secretary, is leaving Aug. 28 for a job with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hutchinson said Dr. Jose Romero, the department’s chief medical officer, will be the department’s interim head.
Smith’s decision comes days after Hutchinson said the state was seeing a “second peak” of coronavirus cases. The state last week reported a new one-day high of new virus cases. The number of active virus cases – excluding those who have recovered or died – has steadily increased since setting a new high on Friday.
Smith said he had “absolutely no disagreement” with the state’s approach to the pandemic.
Hutchinson said at least 6,180 people in the state have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, an increase over the 6,029 reported Monday. The true number is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The number of people who have died from COVID-19 has risen to 119.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI