Arkansas recorded 706 new covid-19 cases and an additional 21 deaths as a result of the virus, officials said Tuesday.
Of the 706 cases, 482 were confirmed through polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing, according to the state Department of Health. The state recorded an additional 224 positive cases through antigen testing.
Of the 21 deaths, nine occurred in nursing homes, state Health Department Secretary Jose Romero said during the conference.
Romero reported that six of the new cases occurred in correctional facilities and 476 were in the community.
Washington County reported 65 new cases, followed by Pulaski County, with 47; Sebastian County, with 33; and Benton County, with 31. All other counties had fewer than 20 new cases, Romero said.
Hospitalizations as a result of the virus decreased by six, for a current total of 490, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. Two fewer people were on a ventilator, for a total of 97.
The Health Department reported 6,529 active cases. Romero said that 756 patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 72,265.
In the previous 24 hours, a total of 5,394 PCR and 1,167 antigen tests were administered, Hutchinson said.
EARLIER:
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and state health officials will provide an update on Arkansas' covid-19 response at 1:30 p.m.
The total number of Arkansans who tested positive for the virus or are believed to have fallen ill since the start of the pandemic remained at 82,049 on Tuesday morning, according to a state website. The death toll remained at 1,329.
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This story was originally published at 11:28 a.m.