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0000017d-2122-dd26-adfd-e56710ac0000IMPORTANT RESOURCESArkansas Department of Health's COVID-19 Update PageADH Coronavirus Hotline: 1-800-803-7847 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F) After normal business hours, urgent calls needing immediate response call 501-661-2136Gov. Asa Hutchinson's statewide mask mandate goes into effect July 20

COVID-19 Cases Surpass 66,000 in Arkansas

Sept. 8, 2020 2:25 p.m. — During today's daily COVID-19 briefing, Gov. Asa Hutchinson reported the state has 66,021 positive cases, an increase of 294 from yesterday. Of those new cases, 3 were in correctional facilities. Hospitalizations increased by 10 for a total of 409. Arkansas has 917 deaths related to the coronavirus, an increase of 9.  

In the last 24 hours, 5,154 tests were conducted. That's about 4,800 more than the day prior. The state has 5,844 active cases, 218 less than yesterday. There are 84 patients on ventilators, an increase of 10. Counties with more than 20 new cases are Cross County with 30, Washington County with 29 and Pulaski County with 28.

Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero said in one week, cases among 18 to 24 year-olds increased by nearly 17 percent. That's two to three times higher than any other age group. Dr. Romero said he believes this to be a reflection of cases in colleges and universities. He continued to emphasis the importance of students following health precautions whether or not they live on campus to bring the outbreak out of control.

Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston says officials have seen a drop in 12 of the last 13 weeks in continued unemployment claims. About 83,000 Arkansans are still receiving unemployment benefits. About 41,000 are on traditional unemployment assistance and around 42,000 are receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. 

Sec. Preston also discussed the new Lost Wages Assistance Program, which was created through an executive order by President Trump. The program will make an addtional $300 weekly benefit for unemployment assistance. This is in place of the expired federal pandemic unemployment compensation. The $600 weekly benefit expired July 25. You are eligible if you receive unemployment with a weekly benefit amount of $100 or more and you self-certify that your unemployment is due to the pandemic. Regular unemployment insurance claimants should self-certify using Arkline 501-90-2590 or Arknet. PUA claimants are automatically eligible and do not need to self-certify. 

You can watch the entire daily briefing here