Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday. Click below to listen to the entire address:
Arkansas’ active virus cases keep increasing; 6 more dead
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The number of cases continued to rise Wednesday in Arkansas of the illness caused by the corona outbreak, and officials say six more people in the state have died.
The Health Department said at least 8,067 people in the state have tested positive for the virus, an increase over the 7,818 reported Tuesday. The number of active cases, excluding those who have died or recovered, reached a new high of 2,208.
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 in Arkansas from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, rose from 136 Tuesday to 142.
Arkansas’ active cases have increased since late May as businesses that had closed because of the pandemic have been allowed to reopen. The state has also increased testing in recent weeks.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday said plans to further lift restrictions remained on hold because of the spike.
Cases in northwest Arkansas continued driving the increase with Benton and Washington counties accounting for two of the top counties with most new cases. The most new cases were in Pulaski County in central Arkansas.