
Covid-19 is the third-leading cause of death in Arkansas, preceded only by cancer and heart attacks, according to Governor Asa Hutchinson.
So it is a deadly virus that takes people's lives. We want to make sure everybody understands the seriousness of it,” Hutchinson said during a news briefing on Tuesday.
The state today reported 878 new cases of Covid-19, bringing it to a total of 115,519 cases. Arkansas is also reporting 18 new Covid-19 related deaths, bringing the total to 2,003 deaths, according to the Governor.
Bed capacity in northeast and central areas of the state is currently “tight,” Bo Ryall, president and CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association said Tuesday.
- 10% of occupied beds have Covid-19 patients in them
- 26% of occupied ICU beds have Covid-19 patients in them
- 31% of ventilators are in use by Covid-19 patients
Ryall said these were “some of the highest numbers that we've seen in those areas."
While hospitals are not currently seeing any major deficiencies in PPE or testing supplies, there is a shortage of healthcare workers caused by fatigue, competition from other states, increasing costs and community exposure, Ryall added.
“If we continue to see these cases escalate, we in turn will have hospitalizations increase, and the stress on the health care system will be felt. Hospitals are stretched thin in some areas and we ask that you please adhere to the safety measures again,” Ryall said.