Gov. Asa Hutchinson provided an update on the rate of COVID-19 tests in Arkansas by region on June 5.
In regards to COVID-19 testing in Arkansas per 10,000 residents, Hutchinson said that it is “largely balanced across the state.”
The southeast region’s rate is 585.2 COVID-19 tests per 10,000 residents and the northeast region’s rate is 427.2 tests per 10,000 residents. The rate of COVID-19 tests in Northwest Arkansas is 351.4 per 10,000 residents. The central region’s rate is 374.9 tests per 10,000 individuals and the southwest region is 325.6 tests per 10,000 individuals.
He also reported the total number of tests by each region as well. Northwest Arkansas has reported 36,241 COVID-19 tests, or 24 percent of the total number. Central Arkansas has the second highest report with 31,223 tests, or 20.9 percent. Northeast Arkansas has reported 23,619 tests, or 15.6 percent, and southeast Arkansas has reported 14,827 tests. The southwest region has the lowest report with 10,430 tests, or 6.9 percent of the total.
There is missing information for 22.9 percent of the total COVID-19 tests, or 34,635 tests.
Yesterday (June 4), Hutchinson told reporters that the state of Arkansas is experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic regionally at different time frames. He said the northwest region began experiencing its first peak of COVID-19 cases in mid-May, whereas the southeast region has experienced two peaks, one in mid-April and again in mid-May.
He also said that a regional approach to reopening the state is being considered. When asked to comment on further details, Hutchinson told reporters that he will address it on Monday, June 8.
“I think what we articulated today and the graph that we had on testing being spread across the state is very informative to us. That is a data point that we needed, so we will address that again early next week.”
READ MORE: Hutchinson Looking at Possibility of Regional Phase II Reopenings