Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 8/21/2020 Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyQN9iKk1B4
>Unemployment rate has been reduced to 7.1%, down a full percentage point in June. The June unemployment rate was 8.1% and May had an unemployment rate of 9.6%. Currently unemployment rate is 3% below the national average.
>Increase of 887 cases for a cumulative total of 55,652.
>Up 10 to 509 hospitalizations.
>Up 22 deaths to 663. (largest number in a single day) 11 occurred in nursing home facilities, 7 of which from a single county.
>6,396 tests done in last 24 hours.
>49,135 recovered individuals. Up 677 from yesterday.
>Active cases 5,854.
>Top counties more than 20 cases: Pulaski 80, Washington 57, Benton 47, Sebastian 38, Pope 33, Stone 30, Faulkner 29, Lonoke 25, Craighead 24, Crawford 23, Crittenden 22, Sevier 21, Garland, Independence and Poinsette each have 20.
>Seven day rolling average has an uptick due to the higher number of new cases today.
>Northwest Arkansas health region had an uptick, but still overall a downward trend in cases.
>Clusters of cases are coming from group gatherings not associated with schools, but other activities. Those activities lead to more cases. We ALL need to continue to social distance and wear a mask.
>Completed the goal of 100% testing of state prison system. Reach the goal that was set approximately one month ago. Results is 14650 inmates tested. 5120 tested positive. Roughly 35% of inmate population. Positivity rate has been reduced to 4% now. Tested 4728 prison staff with 378 positives. Total of 19378 inmates and staff tested. Testing will be ongoing in the prison population.
>Medical marijuana cards- 6-month extension will come to an end September 30. Renew the applications now so you don’t have a delay.
>ADH warning about recent scams: legitimate case investigators and contact tracers affiliated with ADH will never ask you payment or request any credit card or bank account information. Legitimate AHD inspectors carry identification with the agency logo and will always be willing to provide it when asked. They will never ask for money. If you want to verify that you have been contacted by an ADH case investigator or contact tracer, you may call 800-803-7847.