Sixty-one more Arkansans tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Thursday to Friday, totaling 704 cases in the state.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith announced during the Friday briefing there are also 71 Arkansans hospitalized and no more deaths, and Monroe County is reporting positive cases of COVID-19.
Smith said there have been a total of 9,626 reports of tests in Arkansas with 7.3% of those positive.
Hutchinson said the number of tests done is more than sufficient to give the state a handle on where the virus has spread. He also said the University of Arkansas for Medical Services implemented a mobile unit to test at different sites in the state.
Smith said the gender and racial breakdown of cases is about the same as it has been. He said there are 20 cases of the virus in those 18 and younger, 197 cases in those 65 and older, and 487 in those 18-64.
He said 71 are hospitalized, which is up five from Thursday and 26 are on a ventilator, which is up three. He said 39 patients have ever been on a ventilator for COVID-19. Five have recovered and nine died.
Smith also said 60 people have recovered so far.
There are 53 cases of the virus in nursing homes and 96 cases of health care workers. Ten of those health care workers are physicians, 28 are nurses, four are certified nursing assistants and the rest are licensed or unlicensed health care workers or unknown.
Smith also broke down the numbers and percentages of those with underlying medical conditions who have tested positive for COVID-19.
In Arkansas, Smith said of all 704 cases, 8.5% of them have had diabetes. Of those hospitalized, 30% had diabetes and 38% were admitted to the ICU. From overall cases, 7.7% had heart disease, but made up 23% of those hospitalized and 27% of those in the ICU.
The total cases with chronic lung disease was 4.4% and 2.1% had chronic kidney disease. Of cases hospitalized, 14% had chronic lung disease and 8% had chronic kidney disease. Of those in the ICU, 16% had a lung disease and 11% had a kidney disease.
“It’s very important for those Arkansans who OVERSET FOLLOWS:have one or more medical conditions to make sure they’re taking care of themselves well,” Smith said.
He also said according to studies, tobacco is a known risk factor for lung and heart disease, so it would be a good time to become as healthy as one can be.
He said the Be Well Arkansas website (https://www.bewellarkansas.org) and number can help provide resources to stop smoking and address other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
After a reporter asked Smith’s opinion on National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci’s thoughts on a nationwide shutdown, Smith said what Fauci says should be listened to as far as the nation is concerned, but he and Hutchinson are trying to make the best decisions for Arkansas based on what’s happening in the state.
Hutchinson said today’s briefing will look at best practices of social distancing by businesses and announcing additional enforcement actions, as well as what more could be accomplished in targeted responses.
LOCAL NUMBERS
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, Union County has 10 positive cases of COVID-19 and has 95 negative test results.