Gov. Asa Hutchinson reported 322 new COVID-19 cases today (June 18) at his daily press conference with the majority in Northwest Arkansas again. The cumulative total of cases in the state is 13,928.
Washington County had 46 new cases and Benton County had 33. Pulaski County had the third highest number of new cases with 23 and the other counties had less than 20 new cases.
The number of hospitalizations and related deaths due to COVID-19 are also increasing. There are 226 hospitalizations, up nine from yesterday. There are 11 more related deaths with 228 total with only one younger than age 65.
“That doesn’t make us any better, it actually makes us feel very sad,” Hutchinson said. “But it is a reminder to young people that while you might survive this very well and not have any repercussions, but who are you communicating with and who you might expose and the vulnerability of those over 65 we have to keep in mind.”
There were 6,654 COVID-19 tests conducted within the past 24 hours across the state. Since June 1, the state has conducted 86,814.
Arkansas Department of Health Medical Director for Immunizations Jennifer Dillaha noted that there are 4,344 active cases with 3,558 in the community, 644 in correctional facilities and 142 in nursing homes.
“This gives me the opportunity to reiterate, as the governor has, the importance for maintaining a six-foot distance, wearing a cloth face covering when you cannot be six-feet apart, good hand hygiene and not going places unnecessarily, but to go about your business and take care of your needs,” she said. “If the majority of Arkansans were to wear their cloth face coverings when they are out in public, we could greatly reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in Arkansas. But it’s going to take all of us working together. It’s going to take all facets of the community.”
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