Gov. Asa Hutchinson reported another significant increase in new COVID-19 cases at his daily press conference on Friday, May 29. According to his report, many of the new cases located are in Northwest Arkansas
There are 239 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state’s total number to 6,777. To date, 4,946 have recovered and 1,699 cases are still active. There are 1,482 cases in the community, 144 in correctional facilities and 73 in nursing homes.
On Thursday, May 28, Hutchinson reported 261 new cases – the biggest single-day increase in community cases since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospitalizations have increased by nine with 113, which is the highest number the state has seen so far in a single-day period. There are 24 individuals on ventilators. The death toll is at 132, up seven from yesterday.
The state has conducted more than 70,000 COVID-19 tests during the month of May and 121,302 tests since the beginning of the pandemic. So currently, four percent of the state’s population has been tested for the virus.
Yesterday, 2,702 COVID-19 tests were conducted and had a 4.1 percent positivity rate.
Washington County and Benton County had the most number of new cases with 53 and 38, respectively. Sevier County followed behind with 31 cases, Crittenden with 21 cases and Pulaski County with 15.
“We are not seeing a connectivity between the business that we are doing, the lifting of restrictions and the number of new cases that we have,” Hutchinson said. Through contact tracing, the state has determined a low association between the rise in new cases and going to restaurants, churches, beauty salons, daycares, gyms or hotels.
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