Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continue to rise in Arkansas, with the number of Arkansans requiring hospital care due to the virus increasing by 32 since yesterday for a new all-time high of 608.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson expressed concern once again over the increase in those hospitalized due to the pandemic.

“Our hospitalizations continue to be at a high level,” Hutchinson said. “This puts stress on our healthcare workers. While we have sufficient capacity in our hospitals, this does strain the system. We need to work together to reduce our cases & hospitalizations.”

The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Arkansas increased by 654 on Monday, with 568 of those confirmed from PCR testing, and 86 considered probable after detection by antigen testing.

There were 17 additional deaths, bringing the toll to 1,586.

There are currently 7,839 total cases of COVID-19 considered active in the state, which includes those that have tested positive by both PCR and antigen testing methods. There are 84,055 inactive cases.

The state reported 9,089 new PCR tests, with 705 new antigen tests on Monday.

The top counties for new cases announced Monday were Pulaski (80), Washington, (57), Sebastian (33), Craighead (32), and Benton (27).

Monday, Oct. 12

Sunday, Oct. 11

Saturday, Oct. 10

Friday, Oct. 9