LITTLE ROCK (AP) – Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday defended his decision to lift more coronavirus restrictions on businesses as the state posted a new record for a one-day increase in virus cases since the pandemic began.The Health Department said at least 10,816 people in the state have tested positive for the virus, an increase of 448 over the previous day. The department said 3,294 of those cases are active, meaning ones that don’t include people who have died or recovered.
Thursday marked the biggest one-day increase in cases among non-incarcerated people, with only four of the new cases coming from correctional facilities.
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 latest increase came a day after Hutchinson said the state on Monday will move into “Phase 2,” meaning bars, restaurants and other businesses can raise their capacity limits to two-thirds.
“Regardless of what we see in the next week, we made the right decision to lift some of the restrictions so they don’t cause more damage to people’s lives or their livelihood,” said Hutchinson, who said the eased restrictions don’t minimize the seriousness of the virus.
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