LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Governor Asa Hutchinson announced 4,107 new COVID-19 cases and 36 additional deaths in Arkansas during his weekly virus update on Tuesday in Little Rock.
The number of patients hospitalized with the virus statewide again rose to a record high at 1323, including 224 individuals on ventilators (+12).
The death toll in Arkansas now stands at 3,836.
The top counties reporting new cases on Tuesday include:
- Pulaski: 418
- Washington: 399
- Benton: 389
- Sebastian: 265
- Garland: 232
The state’s active case count is now at a record 24,408, according to Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero.
“Right now we are compensating for these increased cases, but these cases will increase,” Romero said. “Unfortunately I need to say that today, because what we are seeing now is what I and all of us have warned about, that is a surge on top of a surge.”
“This can be slowed down. It cannot be completely stopped at this point,” he added. “It is up to each citizen to adhere to this (wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands). This is not an exaggeration. The numbers are as they are.”
UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson said hospitals around the state are stressed and strained but he said the system isn’t breaking at this time, though resources are limited.
“We need to continue to do everything that we can as a state to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 while we await for the effects of the vaccine to impact us in a positive manner,” Patterson said.
Dr. Patterson said hospitals around Arkansas have surge plans to execute if need be.
For more information on the state’s response to the novel coronavirus, visit https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus.
You can watch the full press conference from Tuesday, January 5 below:
