Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Friday. Click below to listen to the entire address:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas’ coronavirus cases rose by 226 and one new death was reported, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Friday.
The total number of people who have tested positive for the virus rose to 8,651, up from 8,425 on Thursday, Hutchinson said. A total of 152 people have died so far this year, he said.
The true number of coronavirus cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The governor and state health department also detailed the results of contact tracing that was done on 190 cases that were reported on June 1. Of those 190 cases, 39 involved someone who was employed by a poultry business, officials said.
Contact tracing also showed that two cases were linked to barbershops, one to a daycare, one to a gym, two to a hotel or motel and three to a medical or wellness office.
Unlike most other states, Arkansas didn’t have a stay-at-home order during the pandemic. But Hutchinson had imposed other restrictions that have been lifted in recent weeks on businesses.