Arkansas reports 40 COVID-19 deaths

(From Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson)

Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,944 new cases; 27,290 active cases; 1,342 hospitalized, which is up 16 from Thursday; 219 on ventilators, which is up 1 from Thursday; deaths added today, 40, for a total of 3,966; a total of 248,860 cases; 180,851 recoveries; PCR tests, 11,010; antigen tests, 3,743.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 378; Benton, 284; Washington, 266; Sebastian, 145; and Faulkner, 139.

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

"Today's report has 1,360 fewer cases than this time last week with higher testing. This good news is overshadowed by the loss of an additional 40 of our friends and neighbors. We all have a responsibility to our friends and neighbors to help slow the spread, and I hope you'll join me as we continue to fight this invisible enemy.”