Arkansas Department of Health

State Epidemiologist Dr. Mike Cima says the increase in new cases this week is similar to when schools started last year.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson says the state is expanding Medicaid access for pregnant people, launching new post-partum home visits, and increasing payments to foster parents.

The Department of Health says the easily transmissible omicron subvariant BA.5 is responsible for an upward trend in cases and hospitalizations.

Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, director of the Arkansas Department of Health, declined to give specifics of the state's first monkeypox case to avoid potentially identifying the person.

Arkansas continues to see skyrocketing COVID hospitalizations as the omicron variant surge lingers. To help support hospitals that are close to capacity, the governor is calling for funds to purchase more medical and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. Comments from Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of Health José Romero.

The Department of Health reported 7,787 new infections Thursday, which is another record. Hospitalizations grew by 73, which Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Dillaha said has hospitals struggling.

As the Omicron variant causes COVID-19 cases to skyrocket in Arkansas and elsewhere, state officials are pleading with residents to take health precautions this month.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday (Nov. 30) there is not yet enough data “to make definitive decisions” about how to react to the COVID-19 Omicron variant but he is concerned with recent trends showing more COVID cases and hospitalizations in the state.

Infection rates and deaths for COVID-19 are on the rise and state government officials are imploring unvaccinated citizens to get a vaccine. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said during a press conference at the State Capitol on Tuesday (Nov. 23) the number of cases since last week is up about 900 and those hospitalized have increased by 69.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Monday that all fully vaccinated adults who have waited the recommended time can get a booster shot. He also voiced concerns about unaccompanied migrant children being placed in the state.