June 24, 2020 2:15 p.m. — In today's COVID-19 briefing, Gov. Hutchinson reported the state has 17,375 positive cases, an increase of 697 from yesterday. Of those, at least 43 are in correctional facilities. Hospitalizations increased 19 for a total of 267. Arkansas has 240 deaths related to the coronavirus, an increase of 3. In the last 24 hours, 7,374 tests have been conducted. The state has exceeded the goal of 120,000 tests in June. The governor announced a goal of 180,000 tests (6 percent of the population) in July.
Health Secretary Dr. Nate Smith said the state has a total of 5,567 active cases. Of those, 100 are in nursing homes and at least 819 are in correctional facilities. Hot Spring County had the most new cases with 168 and Dr. Smith said the majority of those are likely positive cases at the Ouachita River Unit in Malvern. He also reported 79 new cases in Washington County, 67 in Benton County and 51 in Pulaski County and 40 in Sebastian County.
Gov. Hutchinson is directing the Arkansas Department of Health to double the number of contact tracers being added to the current capacity (200) from 350 to 700. He is going to ask the CARES Act Steering Committee and the General Assembly to approve an additional $22 million to fund the effort. Gov. Hutchinson said he hopes to have the first set of 350 contact tracers on board by mid-July.
You can watch the entire daily briefing here.
