News Release
· There have been 704 cases of COVID-19 now confirmed in the state. Of those, 96 are health care workers. The health care workers include 10 physicians, 28 nurses and 4 certified nursing assistants (CNA).
· The Governor announced Arkansas has received its first shipment of hospital protective gear from the state’s procurement.
· Testing continues to increase. More than 9,600 tests have been conducted so far. Of those 7.3% have tested positive. Testing has been done in every county in the state.
· Health Secretary Dr. Nate Smith said while 8% of overall cases are patients with diabetes, 30% of those who have been hospitalized and 38% of those in ICU have diabetes. Patients with heart disease account for 7.7% of all cases, but 23% of hospitalizations and 27% of ICU patients. Patients with chronic lung disease and chronic kidney disease also have higher hospitalization and ICU percentages than percentages found in overall number of cases of COVID-19.
