New virus cases reported as state announces largest 1-day increase
The Arkansas Department of Health reported two new COVID-19 cases in Union County Friday, bringing the county’s cumulative number of cases to 220.
Of those, 174 are considered recovered, representing no change from Thursday. There are 33 local cases — 15% of the county’s cumulative total of cases — still active, an increase of two from Thursday.
The ADH also reported no change in the number of Union County residents that have died as a result of COVID-19. In all, 13 local residents have died, seven of whom were residents at Courtyard Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
No changes were reported in any of the congregate living facilities in El Dorado where COVID-19 has been identified, which include Courtyard, where 35 residents in all have tested positive, three of whom have recovered, leaving 25 active resident cases, along with six active worker cases after 16 of the 22 workers who have had the virus have recovered; Advanced Health and Rehab of Union County, where two workers have tested positive; Timberlane Health and Rehab, where four workers have tested positive; and Community Living Arrangements, where nine residents and three workers have tested positive.
The ADH also reported 30 new negative test results returning for Union County; altogether, 2,399 local COVID19 test results have returned, with 2,179 negatives. The overall positivity rate for Union County Friday was 9.1%.
Arkansas saw its largest one-day increase in community cases yet on
Friday, adding 703 new cases, 662 of which were in the community, to make the state’s cumulative total of cases 14,631. Of those, 9,712 are considered recovered, leaving 4,705 cases — 32.15% — active statewide.
Six more Arkansans died as a result of the virus between Thursday and Friday, bringing the state’s death toll to 214, which indicates a state mortality rate of 1.46%. There were 224 Arkansans hospitalized due to COVID-19 Friday, with 53 on ventilators, according to the ADH.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced during a daily press conference on COVID-19 Friday that funds had been approved for bonus payments to emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics for their work during the ongoing pandemic.
The payments, which were allocated to the state through the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, will cover the period from April 5 through May 30; those who worked 16-39 weekly hours during that period will be paid $125 per week, and those who worked 40 or more weekly hours will receive $250 per week. Hutchinson said employers will work with the state to acquire the funds, so workers may not see the money immediately.
The governor also announced a new guidance from the ADH on the use of face masks. The state now recommends that individuals wear face masks indoors and outdoors whenever they are around non-household members and are not able to socially distance with at least six feet between themselves and others.
Hutchinson has resisted issuing a directive, which would carry the power of law and therefore be legally enforceable, on the matter, but he did encourage state residents on Friday to wear face masks wherever they cannot socially distance.
The ADH reported 234,772 total test results returned statewide Friday, with 220,141 negatives, which would indicate an overall positivity rate for the state of 6.23%.
At 7:15 p.m. Friday, Johns Hopkins University reported 2,218,447 COVID-19 cases in the United States; of those, 606,715 are considered recovered, leaving 1,492,671 cases — 67.28% — active in the country. There had been 119,061 deaths resulting from the virus in the U.S. Friday evening, indicating a national mortality rate of 5.36%.
Johns Hopkins reported 8,628,403 COVID-19 cases worldwide Friday evening; of those, 4,223,909 are considered recovered, leaving 3,945,818 cases — 45.73% — active around the world. There had been 458,676 deaths reported worldwide resulting from the virus Friday evening, indicating a global mortality rate of 5.31%.