Arkansas COVID cases set new records

KUAR | By Michael Tilley/ Talk Business & Politics

With a record daily rise in COVID-19 cases and a record for active cases, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday he is activating an additional 50 National Guard members to help with testing and is encouraging school administrators to consider requiring mask use.

The governor also said in his weekly press briefing that the state’s health system is “facing a new set of challenges” because of the higher rate of transmissibility with the Omicron variant. The rise in cases not only reduces hospital bed capacity but in some cases creates staffing challenges with rising infection among health care workers.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) on Tuesday reported a record 6,562 new COVID cases in the previous 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 581,134. Active cases rose by 5,118 to a record 32,280.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-01-04/arkansas-covid-cases-set-new-records

Chris Banks/KUAR News

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, seen here speaking to reporters last May, announced Tuesday the state had 6,562 new cases of people testing positive for COVID-19.

Arkansas Children Are Becoming Sick Like Never Before During COVID Pandemic

By MICHAEL HIBBLEN

As Arkansas is experiencing a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases, with more than 2,800 new cases reported Thursday, kids are being impacted like never before in the pandemic. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he was especially concerned about the increase in pediatric cases while announcing he was reinstating a public health emergency for the state.

Only people who are 12 and older can get vaccinated, which is a concern as schools are only a few weeks away from starting a new academic year. The latest variant is making a growing number of children sick, with Arkansas Children’s Hospital this week reporting its largest number of patients with COVID-19.

Hutchinson said Thursday there were 24 children being treated at the hospital and none had been fully immunized. Half of those, he said, were under 12-years-old and not eligible to be vaccinated.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-children-are-becoming-sick-never-during-covid-pandemic

Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock reported a record number of pediatric patients this week suffering from COVID-19.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

Delta Variant Could Cause Third Surge In Arkansas COVID Cases, UAMS Chancellor Says

By ALEXANDRIA BROWN

New COVID-19 cases in Arkansas continue to climb and officials say the rapdily spreading delta variant and people not being vaccinated is the key reason why. The Department of Health reported 479 new cases Tuesday, along with eight additional deaths from COVID-19. 

At his weekly press briefing Tuesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson urged Arkansans to take safety measures when participating in 4th of July activities to stop the spread of the virus.

“We have the delta variant predominant, moving into Arkansas, and we have to take that very seriously," Hutchinson said. "It is more contagious, it has more consequences in terms of health, and so take care of yourself and follow the guidelines which really is social distancing, wearing a mask if you have not been vaccinated.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/delta-variant-could-cause-third-surge-arkansas-covid-cases-uams-chancellor-says

Dr. Cam Patterson, chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, speaking at Gov. Asa Hutchinson's weekly press briefing Tuesday.

CREDIT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE / YOUTUBE