Arkansas' new cases of COVID-19 increased by 969 in the last 24 hours. 211 of those cases were diagnosed in Washington County. At Thursday's Arkansas COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced 81% of the new Washington County cases were among people between the ages of 18 and 24. Dr. Jose Romero, Arkansas' Secretary of Health, urged college students to observe measures to help slow the spread of the virus, including the wearing of face coverings and the practice of socially distancing. The state received 7,827 test results during the last 24 hour period. Seven other counties recorded more than 20 new cases, including 47 in Benton County and 36 in Sebastian County. Dr. Romero said college and university populations are driving the increase in new cases. He said, "This will increase significantly more if not brought under control now." Governor Hutchinson added, "Nine hundred cases can be 1,500 cases. Two hundred eleven cases in Washington County could become 500 cases in Washington County."
The Arkansas Department of Health is adding 20 deaths to the state's fatality count, now at 861. Dr. Romero said one of those deaths is a delayed report, and eight of the nine deaths were recorded at a nursing home in Mississippi County. Governor Hutchinson said not much more is known about that cluster of deaths at this time.
The governor discussed a lawsuit filed by several Arkansas legislators today, challenging actions recommended by the state's department of health and then backed by the governor. The lawmakers want decisions about health regulations during the pandemic determined by the General Assembly. Governor Hutchinson said the suit represents "a broad attack on the executive authority that I, as governor, have acted under during this emergency." The governor said the actions he's taken have been based upon what has been approved by the Arkansas General Assembly that gives a chief executive the ability to act quickly during an emergency.
Two Arkansas public schools, one in Jacksonville and another in Earle, are modifying procedures because of a high number of staff members needing to quarantine. A middle school in Jacksonville will shift to virtual learning tomorrow and reevaluate for next week. An elementary school in Earle, in eastern Arkansas, will move to virtual learning until September 17th. Secretary Key said about 50% of the staff at that school need to quarantine because of socialization that took place outside of the school.
Solomon Graves, Arkansas' Department of Corrections Secretary, said there are 432 active cases in the state's correctional facilities. The Varner Unit has the most: 190. Secretary Graves also said a phased reopening of in-person visitation for the state's correctional units will begin next month. He said the process will be informed by the case counts at individual facilities.
Tomorrow's briefing is scheduled to be in Searcy.
