Arkansas COVID-19 cases increase by 734 Wednesday

COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 734 over the previous day, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced on Wednesday.

That brings the total number of known cases in the state to 25,246. Hospitalizations were down 11 to 358, and there were four new deaths, which brings the toll to 305.

Of the new cases, 87 were from Pulaski County, 72 came from Washington County, 60 from Benton County, 46 from Pope County, 39 from Mississippi County, 32 from Yell County, 26 from Johnson County, and 21 were from Saline County.

Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith said 104 cases were from correctional facilities across the state, and 630 were from the community.

Smith said 5,545 cases are considered active, and 19,396 patients are classified as having recovered.

Currently, 79 people are on a ventilator, down four since yesterday.

There were 4,567 tests conducted since yesterday, Smith said, which is below the pace needed to meet the governor’s stated goal of 200,000 tests in July. Smith said the 4th of July weekend contributed to the decrease in testing reflected in the numbers in the last few days.

Washington County testing

The governor continued to express concern over the lag in testing in Washington County.

Hutchinson said the state needs to get the word out that testing is available at the Washington County Heath Unit across the street from Washington Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Jose Romero, who will take over as Secretary of Health in August, said the unit is available from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A free drive-thru testing event is set for Saturday, July 11 at the Washington County Health Unit as well. Here’s more information about that.

The unit is located at 3270 Wimberly Drive in Fayetteville.

Survey results

Steuart Walton, chair of the governor’s Economic Recovery Task Force, presented the results of a study commissioned by his company, The Runway Group.

The survey, conducted by Gilmore Strategy Group June 29-30, surveyed 600 Arkansans on their attitudes concerning COVID-19, personal protective equipment, sending children to school this fall, and other issues.

Some of the slides presented during the presentation are below. The full survey results are available at ArkansasReady.com.

Wednesday charts