July 6, 2020 2:15 p.m. — In today's COVID-19 briefing, Gov. Asa Hutchinson reported the state has 24,253 positive cases, an increase of 439 from yesterday. Of those, 8 are in correctional facilities. Hospitalizations increased 12 for a total of 337. Arkansas has 292 deaths related to the coronavirus, an increase of 5. In the last 24 hours, 3,615 tests have been conducted. Gov. Hutchinson increased the state's testing goal in July from 180,000 to 200,000.
Health Secretary Dr. Nate Smith said of the state has 6,127 active cases. Of those, 117 are in nursing homes, 456 are in correctional facilities and 5,554 are in the community. The counties with the most new cases are Washington County with 77, Pulaski County with 46, Yell County with 36 and Benton County with 36.
Gov. Hutchinson announced a $20 million contract with General Dynamics to add 350 contact tracers starting this week. Hutchinson said an additional $20 million will be requested for another contract for an additional 350 contact tracers. He said through ADH and partners, the state has about 320 in-house contact tracers. People interested in applying for these new jobs can apply here. The governor said the contract is for a year and it can be continued beyond that time if needed.
ADH Chief of Staff Stephanie Williams says contact tracers have had trouble getting people to answer the phone on the first call. If you have caller ID, she said the number may appear as 877-272-6819 or 877-ARCOV-19. Williams said contact tracers typically don't call after 8 p.m. and they will never ask for money. She said the state has bilinugal contract tracers who speak Spanish and Marshallese. Williams said the state also works with a vendor who can offer translation services in 220 languages. She said sign language can also be provided in English and Spanish.
You can watch the entire daily briefing here.
