Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Friday.
Listen to the address in full here:
Arkansas again posts new daily record for coronavirus cases
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas on Friday reported a new daily record for confirmed coronavirus cases, surpassing the one-day record increase set a week ago.
The Department of Health reported 1,107 people tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the state’s total confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 67,911. The state reported an additional 78 people were positive through antigen testing.
Colleges and universities remained a major driver of the state’s increase, with 13% of the new cases coming from campuses. The state on Thursday said there are nearly 1,300 active cases at its colleges and universities.
The actual 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.
Thirteen more people died from COVID-19, bringing the state’s total fatalities to 953. The state’s hospitalizations remained at 392.
Friday’s increase in confirmed cases was the biggest since the state reported 1,094 new cases a week ago.