Gov. Asa Hutchinson started his daily COVID-19 press conference today by advising Arkansans that clean up will begin following Hurricane Laura.
Additionally, Hutchinson acknowledged the difficulties that the deaf community has faced with the inability to read lips during the pandemic. He urged Arkansans to consider supplying public areas such as doctors’ offices with see-through masks for the deaf community.
Reporters asked Hutchinson about social media pictures of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge at the Republican National Convention in which social distancing and mask guidelines do not appear to be followed. Hutchinson acknowledged that he did not know the circumstances of the picture and urged state leaders to set a good example.
Arkansas Department of Health Secretary José Romero also warned about some possible outbreaks that are being addressed at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of the Ozarks. Hutchinson and Romero then urged students this weekend to continue to observe social distancing and wearing a mask, and avoid parties and gatherings if possible.
The total number of cases has increased by 838 today, 181 of which were in correctional facilities. This brings the total number of active cases to 5,496.
Of these 5,496 active cases, 225 are in nursing homes, 668 are in correctional facilities, and 4,603 are in a community oriented setting.
Hospitalizations have decreased by 26, bringing the total number to 407.
Deaths today have increased by 17, three of which were a delay in reporting, four of which were from multiple nursing homes. This makes the Arkansas death total to 756.
The number of patients on ventilators has decreased by 4, totaling 95 people on ventilators.
Eleven Arkansas counties have 20 or more cases as of today. In order of greatest to least, Pulaski County has 65 positive cases, Benton with 49, Washington with 41, Pope with 39, Faulkner with 29, Jefferson and Sebastian with 27, Craighead with 25, Mississippi and Garland with 21, and Independence with 20.
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