Governor signs executive orders to provide COVID-19 immunity

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Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Monday. Click below to listen to the entire address:

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Hutchinson signed executive orders granting immunity to businesses and providers who don’t engage in willful or reckless conduct during the pandemic. The Republican governor also signed another order assuring workers’ compensation coverage for employees infected with the virus because of their job.

The orders follow a push by Republican lawmakers who had called on the governor to convene a special session to take up the virus liability protections. Hutchinson said now wasn’t the right time for a special session and that lawmakers can revisit the issue next year.

The Health Department said at least 12,917 people have tested positive for the virus, an increase of 416 cases from Sunday. The department 4,383 of those cases are active, meaning they don’t include people who have recovered or died.

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 state’s recorded deaths from the illness caused by the virus rose to 182, while hospitalizations rose to 206.