Arkansas reports 642 new coronavirus cases, 2 more deaths

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas reported 642 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Sunday and two more deaths from the illness caused by the virus.

The Department of Health said at least 38,623 people in the state have tested positive for the virus, an increase from the 37,981 confirmed cases reported Saturday. The department said 6,600 of the cases are active, meaning they don’t include people who have died or recovered.

The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Two more people have died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, bringing the state’s total fatalities to 401. The number of people hospitalized because of COVID-19 increased by one to 480.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Sunday also urged urged lawmakers to approve a plan to use $7 million in federal funds for contact tracing, testing and case coordination for the region’s Hispanic and Marshallese populations. The plan was blocked in a legislative hearing on Friday.

“I do hope this will be reconsidered next week, but every day that passes without action simply increases the opportunity for this virus to spread,” Hutchinson said in a statement he posted on Twitter.