The number of deaths attributed to covid-19 in Arkansas passed 200 on Thursday, as Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that 11 people had succumbed to the virus over the previous 24 hours.
The death toll, which now numbers 208, reflects the state's highest single-day increase in deaths resulting from the virus.
Despite the record number of deaths, the governor expressed optimism that new cases of the virus were being reported at a slower pace than they had been the previous week.
An emergency declaration put in place earlier in the pandemic will be continued for at least another 45 days, Hutchinson announced. He also said that cities taking it upon themselves to issue stricter measures -- such as Fayetteville’s ordinance to require face masks in public -- were potentially in violation of his emergency declaration, though he said he would not fight such efforts.
“Their guidance should not be more restrictive than the state’s,” Hutchinson said.
The total number of cases identified in the state reached 13,928 on Tuesday, an increase of 322. Hospitalizations continue to grow, and were higher Thursday than at any other point during the pandemic, according to Health Department data.
Arkansas reached the point of 200 deaths exactly one month after health officials announced the 100th death in the state on May 18. The coronavirus was first identified in Arkansas in early March, and the first confirmed deaths were reported on March 24.
EARLIER:
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and state health officials will provide an update on Arkansas' covid-19 response from Fort Smith at 1:30 p.m.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arkansas remained at 13,606 Thursday morning, according to a state website. The death toll remained at 197.
Check back to watch the live video.
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