State officials in Arkansas reported an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, related hospitalizations and deaths today (Aug. 21). There are 887 new cases, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 55,652. The number of hospitalizations has increased by 10 to 509 and the number of deaths has increased by 22 to 663.
“We’ve had a number of clusters from group gatherings—not associated with schools. They are associated with other activities that go on through the routine of life but that is not smart,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson at his daily press conference. “It is not good and that leads to cases and that leads to deaths, so we have to be mindful of this. We are not back to normal and we have more work to be done.”
The governor emphasized that wearing a mask is a “team effort” and “we can work together to reduce those cases.”
He also noted a “continued trend of strong, robust testing here in the state of Arkansas” with 6,396 test results from yesterday.
According to Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero, today marks the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began in March. Out of the 22 deaths, 11 occurred in nursing homes with seven from Little River County. Furthermore, 18 deaths were reported within the last 24 hours and four deaths were late reports from July.
There are 5,854 active cases and 49,135 recoveries, up 677 from yesterday.
Romero said there were 15 counties with more than 20 new cases. Pulaski County had 80, Washington County had 57, Benton County had 47, Sebastian County had 38, Pope County had 33, Stone County had 30, Faulkner County had 29, Lonoke County had 25, Craighead County had 24, Crawford County had 23, Crittenden County had 22 and Sevier County had 21. The counties of Garland, Independence and Poinsett each had 20.
He clarified that the Arkansas Department of Health will be issuing letters notifying individuals about the end of their quarantine, but athletes will also need to be “cleared for play by the physician…before engaging in physical activity, especially vigorous physical activity.”
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