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:
As confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise in Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchison announced a new initiative to make virtual learning more accessible. During Monday’s COVID-19 update, the governor said $10 million in federal funding will be provided for Wi-Fi access in an effort to assist rural schools throughout the state.
Gov. Hutchinson stated the funds should cover 20,000 devices for internet access through two or three telecom vendors. AT&T and T-Mobile have expressed interest in the project, and a third vendor could be possible.
On Monday, Arkansas reported 824 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and seven more people have died from the illness caused by the virus.
The Department of Health said at least 39,447 people in Arkansas have tested positive for the virus so far. The state said at least 6,674 of those cases are active, meaning they don’t include people who have died or recovered.
The number of people in the state who have died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, has risen to 408. The number of people hospitalized increased by nine to 489.