State briefs

Arkansas reports 570 more COVID-19 cases

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas on Saturday reported 570 more cases of the coronavirus and 10 more deaths.

The Arkansas Department of Health said that there are now 19,310 reported cases in the state. The state’s total deaths from COVID-19, the illness the new coronavirus causes, is now at 259.

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

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said he’s not ready to further ease restrictions on businesses as coronavirus cases are surging. Arkansas’ virus numbers have dramatically risen since last month, when businesses began reopening. Earlier this month, he allowed restaurants and other businesses to serve more customers.

For most people, the new 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.

Candidate’s bid for Senate ballot spot rejected

LITTLE ROCK — A federal judge has rejected granting a spot on Arkansas’ ballot to an independent candidate who had hoped to challenge Republican

Sen. Tom Cotton but fell short of the signatures needed to qualify.

U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker on Wednesday denied the preliminary injunction requested by Dan Whitfield, who had argued the coronavirus pandemic made it impossible to collect the 10,000 signatures needed to win a spot on the ballot.

Whitfield said on Twitter that he planned to appeal Baker’s ruling.

Election officials determined that Whitfield had submitted 5,594 valid signatures from registered voters.

Cotton, who was first elected in 2014, currently only has a Libertarian challenger on the November ballot. The only Democrat running against Cotton dropped out of the race unexpectedly hours after the state’s filing period ended in November.

State Democrats said there was no way legally for the party to field a new challenger against the incumbent lawmaker.