Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday.
Click below to listen to the entire address:
Arkansas reports largest spike in virus hospitalizations
The Department of Health reported 369 people hospitalized in the state because of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, an increase of 32 since Monday.
The department said at least 24,512 people have tested positive for the virus, an increase of 259 new reported cases. The department said 5,486 of those cases are active, meaning they don’t include people who have died or recovered.
The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Health officials said the drop in new cases was due in part to fewer tests performed Monday than in recent days. Arkansas’ cases have been dramatically higher since May when the state began reopening businesses that closed because of the pandemic.
Nine more people died from COVID-19, bringing the state’s total fatalities to 301.