Gov. Hutchinson calls for ‘responsibility’ as new COVID-19 cases total almost 1,200

The number of new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday was 1,193, with 1,030 of those being from the traditional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test and 163 were positives from antigen tests, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Thursday’s report also included a rise in deaths, active cases and ventilator use. Hospitalizations fell.

As he did with Wednesday’s report of increased cases, Gov. Asa Hutchinson followed Thursday’s report by encouraging Arkansans to do more to contain the spread of the virus.

“Today’s report of 1,030 new PCR positive COVID-19 cases serves as a caution to everyone who is out and about engaging in work, school, and recreation. We need to take responsibility, and we need to support the need for isolation or quarantine when required. We have limited tools to stop the spread, and our self-isolation when needed and our social distancing will be successful if we all do our part,” Gov. Hutchinson said in a statement.

COVID REPORT – Sept. 24
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 76,676 known cumulative cases, with 1,002 new community cases and 28 cases in correctional facilities
• 2,373 “probable” cases, up from 2,317 on Wednesday
• There are 6,672 active cases, up from 6,383 on Wednesday
• There were 8,405 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 1,148 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours with 163 positive results.

Deaths
• 1,097, up 17
• 149 “probable” COVID-related deaths, unchanged

Hospitalizations
457, down 11

Ventilators
97, up 7

Recovered cases
68,902

The top five counties with new known cases reported Thursday were: Pulaski (91), Jefferson (69), Washington (63), Benton (58), and Sebastian (41). The counties accounted for 32.1% of the 1,002 new community cases.

As of Thursday at 1:30 p.m., there were 6,954,456 U.S. cases and 202,344 deaths. Globally, there were 31,993,442 cases and 978,369 deaths.