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Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson hosted a media briefing today during which he reported there are a total of 2,223 new cases of COVID-19 since Monday. The cumulative number of confirmed positive cases in the state is 438,465, with 23,128 active cases. COVID-19 deaths in Arkansas are at 6,749. One thousand, three hundred sixty-seven (1,367) individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) received results from 6,454 PCR tests and 3,592 antigen tests within the past 24 hours. The top counties with the highest number of new cases in the past 24 hours are:

• 177 in Pulaski County
• 176 in Benton County
• 150 in Washington County

In Arkansas, 2,604,046 doses of vaccine have been given. According to ADH, 349,543 Arkansans are partially immunized and 1,171,949 are fully immunized.

The Governor announced the ICU beds for COVID-19 patients are full.

“I share that because everybody should know the strain this is putting on our hospitals and the need to get our vaccinations and how critical our bed space is. It fluctuates day by day, but right now, because of the increased number of COVID patients that need that type of ICU care, those beds are full right now. I know our hospitals are trying to bring some online, but that is a cautionary note for everyone,” Governor Hutchinson said.

The Governor also announced the Arkansas Department of Health will post an advisory on Ivermectin. Arkansas Poison Control Center calls have been increasing regarding people who have been taking Ivermectin that is intended for animal or livestock use.

Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Johnny Key reported the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education has seen an increase in the number of cases among students and staff.

“It has risen by just under 300 between yesterday’s report and last week’s report which is not unexpected. However, the good news is that we have not seen any districts that have made any modifications to their onsite instruction,” Secretary Key said.

Secretary Key also announced that over the next several weeks they would be partnering with the Arkansas Health Department and the Arkansas Activities Association to offer vaccination clinics at some of the regional, rivalry football games.

“We hope that now, especially with the approval of Pfizer vaccine from the FDA, that the acceptance in those situations will be greater and we look forward to providing other additional information for those folks who need to get a little more confidence built up, a little more information so that they can move forward and get those vaccines,” Secretary Key said.

Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) COVID-19 information can be found at:

• healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus

The report of COVID-19 cases by educational institutions can be found at:

• Arkansas Department of Health Educational Institutions Report August 23, 2021

The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) Map of COVID cases in school districts and a school district mask policy list can be found at:

• https://achi.net/covid19/

You can find case updates at:

• Web: gov/COVID or www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus
• Twitter: @AsaHutchinson or @ADHPIO
• Facebook: facebook.com/asaforarkansas or facebook.com/arhealthdept

DESE Update

Digital Equity Data

The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education released Commissioner’s Memo RT-22-002: Digital Equity Data today announcing that they have added Digital Equity Elements to the Statewide Information System (SIS) data collection manual in cooperation with the Home Digital Access Data Collection guidance created by the Council of Chief State School Officers.

It is at the school district’s discretion on how this data is collected via digital or hard copy surveys and/or questionnaires. The information shall be collected and entered into eSchoolPLUS student management system through the 2021-22 school year and will be pulled in SIS Cycle 2 through Cycle 7. The final reporting collection date/cycle of this information will be submitted in SIS Cycle 7 – June 15, 2022.

To read the full Commissioner’s Memo, click here.

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