LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas’ coronavirus deaths rose by 42 on Thursday while the state’s COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped to their lowest point since November.
The Arkansas Department of Health said the state’s COVID-19 deaths now total 4,784, and its hospitalizations dropped by 33 to 996. The state’s virus cases rose by 1,892 to 290,856.
Thursday’s hospitalizations were the state’s lowest it reported 988 hospitalized on Nov. 24. Gov. Asa Hutchinson noted the state reported 1,200 fewer cases than the same day last week and with higher testing than last week.
“The decline, as well as a decrease in active cases, shows good trends, but another day of over 40 deaths reminds us that this virus is still present in all corners of the state,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “We continue to work to slow the spread.”
About 7% of the state’s 1,180 intensive care unit beds and more than 23% of its 8,844 hospital beds are available, according to the Department of Health. There are 307 COVID-19 patients in ICUs around the state.
