The number of positive COVID-19 cases in of Arkansas increased by 480 on 3,300 tests on Tuesday, bringing the total of cases in the state to 57,374 since the pandemic began.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the numbers during his coronavirus press briefing at Arkansas State University Three Rivers in Malvern.

There were 15 additional deaths, bringing the toll to 711.

Of the new cases announced Tuesday, two came from correctional facilities, and 478 are considered active in the community. The number of active cases in the state are at 5,312, with 51,351 individuals considered to have recovered from the virus.

Hospitalizations decreased by 24, reducing the total to 442. There are 108 Arkansans on ventilators, which is unchanged from Tuesday.

The top counties for new cases on Tuesday were Pulaski (80), Faulkner (41), Sebastian (34), Saline (22), and Jefferson (19).

The governor addressed the low number of tests announced on Tuesday. The 3,300 announced is the lowest since at least June when the state reported between 6,000-7,000 tests per day.

“Some of it is dependent on demand,” said Hutchinson. “It takes individual citizen making the decision that, ‘I’m not feeling well today, I need to go get a test.’

“Remember, the public health lab in your county health unit is open to you,” he said, “(It) can give you a quick turnaround on a test, within 48 hours it should come back to you. It’s reliable, it’s affordable, and I hope everyone will help us to meet those goals.”

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