New daily COVID-19 cases again top 1,100; state surpasses September testing goal

For the second day in a row, new COVID-19 cases totaled more than 1,100, with the cumulative number of confirmed and probable cases approaching 80,000, according to Friday’s (Sept. 25) report from the Arkansas Department of Health.

The state reported 796 traditional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and 338 positives from antigen tests for a total of 1,134. The state reported 1,193 total cases on Thursday. The number of total cases as of Friday from PCR and antigen tests was 79,946, with the number of confirmed and probable deaths totaling 1,266.

A statement from Gov. Asa Hutchinson focused on the state’s testing goal.

“Today we exceeded our September testing goal with over 200,000 tests performed this month. We will continue working to increase testing capacity across the state to help us identify COVID-19 cases and slow the spread of this virus. While our cases are down from yesterday, we cannot let our guard down. Let’s all do the right thing this weekend for the benefit of our family and friends,” Gov. Hutchinson said in a statement.

Friday also marked the first day U.S. cumulative cases topped 7 million, with 7,015,242 cases reported as of 3:30 p.m.

COVID REPORT – Sept. 25
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 77,472 known cumulative cases, with 760 new community cases and 36 cases in correctional facilities
• 2,474 “probable” cases, up from 2,373 on Thursday
• There are 6,830 active cases, up from 6,672 on Thursday
• There were 9.908 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 1,810 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours with 338 positive results.

Deaths
• 1,116, up 19
• 150 “probable” COVID-related deaths, up 1

Hospitalizations
484, up 27

Ventilators
95, down 2

Recovered cases
69,521

The top five counties with new known cases reported Friday were: Pulaski (63), Washington (47), Craighead (43), Sebastian (43), and Crawford (42). The counties accounted for 31.3% of the 760 new community cases.

As of Friday at 3:30 p.m., there were 7,015,242 U.S. cases and 203,429 deaths. Globally, there were 32,381,243 cases and 985,104 deaths.

The ADH on Thursday updated its tally of active and cumulative cases in schools and universities. Known cumulative cases in public schools were up 13.2% from Tuesday, up 12.9% in private schools, and up 13.4% in colleges and universities. Following is part of the data from the Sept. 24 report.

• Public schools (as of Sept. 24)
Cumulative active cases: 742
Cumulative cases: 4,116

• Private schools (as of Sept. 24)
Cumulative active cases: 37
Cumulative cases: 219

• Colleges and universities (as of Sept. 24)
Cumulative active cases: 604
Cumulative cases: 3,777