On the eve of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the state had hit a new one-day high with 878 new COVID-19 cases. Seven counties recorded 20 or more new cases. Washington and Benton Counties both recorded high new case numbers compared to the previous 24-hour testing period. There were 117 new cases in Washington County, 75 in Benton County, 55 in Sebastian County and 23 in Crawford County. Across the state, there are now more than 6,000 active coronavirus infections. This morning, a group of Northwest Arkansas healthcare providers issued new criteria for testing done by hospitals in Benton and Washington Counties out of concern that current demand for tests in the region could outstrip capacity and impact the timeliness of test results. Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston also announced the state will provide absentee ballots for voters who request one out of concern about the potential for exposure to COVID-19 at polling locations. To hear the full briefing, click here.
