COVID-19 deaths surge to new daily record; Gov. Hutchinson plans statewide television address

COVID-19 deaths surged by 53 to 2,713, setting a new daily record, according to Monday’s (Dec. 7) report from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the deaths are a “tough reminder” of the need to wear masks and follow other health guidelines.

Total confirmed and probable cumulative cases rose by 1,118 to 172,042, and active cases fell by 693 to 18,057. The number of hospitalizations fell by 23 to 1,053.

“Yesterday recorded our highest total number of deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This high number of our friends and neighbors losing their lives is a tough reminder of our responsibility to follow the public health guidelines each day. Tomorrow, I will be in Saline County meeting with community leaders on local strategies,” Gov. Hutchinson said in a statement.

Gov. Hutchinson announced Monday he will conduct a statewide television address 7 p.m., Thursday, to discuss the pandemic. His office also announced three community meetings “to focus attention and develop local action plans to fight the current surge of COVID-19 in Arkansas.” The first three community meetings are: 10 a.m., Dec. 8, Benton Event Center; 10 a.m., Dec. 9, The Jones Center in Springdale; and 10:30 a.m., Dec. 10, at the Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro.

Other community events will be announced for the week of Dec. 12.

COVID REPORT – Dec. 7
New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests
• 149,175 known cumulative PCR cases, with 1,000 new community cases and 4 reported cases in correctional facilities
• 22,867 probable cases, up from 22,753 on Sunday
• There are 14,235 active cases, down from 14,523 on Sunday
• There were 9,009 test results provided in the previous 24 hours.
• There were 687 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours.

Deaths
• 2,485, up 48
• 228 probable COVID-related deaths, up 5

Hospitalizations
1,053, down 23

Ventilators
182, up 3

Recovered cases
132,433

The top five counties with new known cases reported Monday were: Washington (153), Pulaski (137), Greene (97), Benton (80), and Sebastian (53). The counties accounted for 52% of the 1,000 new community cases.

As of Monday at 3:30 p.m., there were 14,883,966 U.S. cases and 283,211 deaths. Globally, there were 67,440,864 cases and 1,541,661 deaths.