COVID-19 update
EDITOR’S NOTE: As a service to our readers, The Sentinel-Record publishes updates released by the city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas.
The following stats were posted Friday on the Arkansas Department of Health website:
• 92,117 cumulative confirmed cases, up 814 from Thursday.
• 736.71 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, down 23.72 from Thursday.
• 7.7% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Thursday.
• 1,197,898 PCR test reports, up 11,896 from Thursday.
• 5,422 cumulative probable cases, up 201 from Thursday.
• 17.5% cumulative antigen infection rate, down from 17.7% Thursday.
• 8,609 active confirmed and probable cases, up 185 from Thursday.
• 590 hospitalizations, down six from Thursday.
• 1,514 confirmed deaths, up 20 from Thursday.
• 151 probable deaths, up one from Thursday.
• 102 cases on a ventilator, down four from Thursday.
• 2,168 cumulative confirmed cases in Garland County, up 15 from Thursday.
• 17.71 rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases, up one from Thursday.
• 39,063 PCR and antigen test reports for Garland County, up 166 from Thursday.
• 29,433 private lab reports, up 153 from Thursday.
• 9,630 public lab reports, up 13 from Thursday.
• 5.6% cumulative PCR infection rate, no change from Thursday.
• 147 active confirmed cases in Garland County, up seven from Thursday.
• 1,968 recoveries of confirmed cases in Garland County, up seven from Thursday.
• 53 confirmed deaths, up one from Thursday.
• Five probable deaths, no change from Thursday. More than 800 new confirmed cases were reported Friday for the third-straight day, but the infection curve fell 3%.
Friday’s 814 new cases dropped the rolling seven-day average of new confirmed cases to
736.71. Active confirmed and probable cases con
tinued to rise, with 185 added to the total Friday. Active cases have risen more than 11% since Tuesday.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson released the following statement on Friday’s case numbers.
“Yesterday we saw another new record in our testing efforts. With over 15,000 total tests, we can see the results of our investment and commitment to grow Arkansas’s testing infrastructure. This weekend is critical as we continue to battle COVID-19. Remember to wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands frequently.”
The 15 new confirmed cases reported Friday in Garland County raised the county’s moving average for a fifth-straight day. Friday’s 17.71 average was 82% higher than Sunday’s average. The county’s active confirmed cases also rose for a fifth day in a row, increasing 47% since Sunday.
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism announced Friday that $50 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds are available for Arkansas businesses in the personal care, tourism, travel, recreation and hospitality industries.
Qualifying expenses incurred from March 1 to Sept. 30 are eligible for reimbursement. Businesses with up to 250 employees are eligible for the grants.
“In my visits with business owners over the past several months, I’ve been impressed with the measures they have taken to protect customers and employees, and to adapt business models that have kept them viable during this pandemic,” Hutchinson said in a news release the state issued Friday. “The grant will help businesses that were disrupted by the precautions necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
The application period is from Nov. 16-25. More information is available at http://www. arkansasready.com.