Gov. Hutchinson Weekly COVID Update

COVID cases, hospitalizations, vaccinations, variants and more in this weeks COVID update.

Governor Asa Hutchinson held his weekly COVID-19 press conference at 2:00PM on Tuesday.  Regarding vaccination numbers Hutchinson said it was a “good day for Monday…we continue to make progress in that area.” Data shows that more than 13,000 shots were given on Monday.  He also reiterated his stance on vaccines saying, “vaccination is the right call, it is the healthy call….”

Hutchinson showed this graph comparing the rapid spread of COVID-19 in 2020 to that of the Delta Variant in 2021. The graph depicts a much faster rate of spread in 2021 that was seen in all of 2020.

Hospitalizations seem to have slowed some according to recent data, but Hutchinson and others warned that with Labor Day weekend approaching a spike in cases is likely. The highly contagious delta variant is still the driving force behind Arkansas’s surge in cases, 99.3% of all the variants identified in Arkansas are Delta according to the health department.

Hutchinson showed that the state has spent more than $300 million dollars of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to support hospitals in creating more staffed ICU beds and staff retention. This graphic shows where that funding has gone. When asked if there are healthcare workers being brought into the state for staff these additional beds Hutchinson confirmed that several out of state works have come to Arkansas. He said it was a priority to make sure that hospitals were not just pulling workers from other facilities in the state.

Arkansas Secretary of Health, Dr. Jose Romero, said vaccines for people ages 12-17 have increased to 30% fully vaccinated and 44.7% partially vaccinated. Romero said, “we are making slow progress, but we need to do better than that.”

Dr. Romero reminded that the way to avoid quarantining in schools is to get vaccinated or wear a mask. “The mask is still a very efficient way of impeding transmission and preventing your infection.” Romero said, “Use of masks in school, in exposure situations, will prevent a person from going into quarantine and will allow them to continue in classes.”

Education Secretary Johnny Key said that the state will continue their vaccination campaign with three upcoming clinics at regional football games this week. Vaccines will be offered at games played at Camden Fairview, Osceola, and Wynn this Thursday and Friday night. This is part of the states “Stop the Hesitation, Get the Vaccination” campaign started earlier in August by Secretary Key.