Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith met with the media once again on Friday to give an update on the coronavirus situation here in Arkansas.
As of Friday afternoon, 704 had tested positive. Seventy-one were hospitalized. Sixty people had recovered from the virus. Unfortunately, 12 people have died from the virus.
Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith said Friday that many of the most serious cases involve patients who have underlying health conditions. He said patients with diabetes account for 38 percent of those who needed intensive care. Patients with heart disease account for 27 percent of intensive care cases. Patients with chronic lung disease account for 16 percent.
Additionally, Arkansas received its first shipment of protective equipment for medical workers fighting the coronavirus outbreak early Friday.
UAMS Medical Center Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson said that gloves and masks had arrived from China. The state also received 550 gallons of free hand sanitizer manufactured by L’Oreal in the U.S. Patterson said more shipments are expected next week.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state is still working to obtain more ventilators to help COVID-19 patients breathe but said the devices could be diverted or Arkansas could be outbid by another state. The state is seeking 500 ventilators. It currently has about 570.
Coronavirus cases in Arkansas could peak at around 3,500 in mid-April, according to a statistical model the state released. Hutchinson has said in recent days that the state is trending below that projection.
