Gov. Hutchinson: ‘Hospitals will be challenged’ if COVID-19 cases continue to rise

COVID-19 continues its unfortunate rapid spread in Arkansas, with daily cases again above 1,000 and the death count growing by double-digits. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the trend will challenge the medical system if not reversed.

Known confirmed and probable cumulative total cases rose Wednesday (Nov. 4) by 1,293 to 115,812, and confirmed and probable deaths roe by 23 to 2,026, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

“Compared to last Wednesday (961), our case numbers have increased. Let’s work to break the cycle of really high numbers in the middle of the week. If we continue on this trend, our hospitals will be challenged. Each one of us must do our part to help our community and state overcome this virus,” Gov. Hutchinson said in a statement.

COVID REPORT – Nov. 4
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 106,137 known cumulative PCR cases, with 821 new community cases and 93 cases in correctional facilities
• 9,296 “probable” cases, up from 9,296 on Tuesday
• There are 7,837 active cases, down from 8,209 on Tuesday
• There were 8,193 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 1,167 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours with 279 positives.

Deaths
• 1,854, up 21
• 172 “probable” COVID-related deaths, up 2

Hospitalizations
642, down 25

Ventilators
111, down 10

Recovered cases
96,433

The top five counties with new known cases reported Wednesday were: Pulaski (121), Craighead (112), Washington (95), Benton (87), and Sebastian (49). The counties accounted for 56.5% of the 821 new community cases.

As of Wednesday at 4 p.m., there were 9,454,704 U.S. cases and 233,356 deaths. Globally, there were 47,902,287 cases and 1,221,489 deaths.