LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas continues to see a spike in COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
The Alcohol Beverage Control Board has been asked to report to the department of health those restaurants and bars that don't comply with COVID-19 directives.
“The officers are more in the field they’re going through there and making sure that the ABC laws are followed and so they see a lot,” Governor Asa Hutchinson said.
The state saw an uptick of 678 new cases Friday (June 26), totaling 18,740. Of the 678 new cases, 669 are in the community, nine were in correctional facilities. 5,707 of the cases are considered active.
284 patients are hospitalized, 63 are on ventilators and seven more people have died from the virus, totaling 249 so far in Arkansas. The state has reported 12,784 recoveries.
Gov. Hutchinson said 6,897 tests have been done in the last 24 hours in the state.
Washington County reported 122 new cases, Pulaski reported 84, Benton County reported 68 and Sebastian County reported 33.
82% of Sebastian County cases are located from within Fort Smith, according to the governor.
Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith says they are not seeing clusters from businesses but will go for an inspection if needed.
“Will go to that business or venue will do the contact tracing,” Dr. Smith said.
In the last 14 days, churches, restaurants and health and wellness businesses are where people went to the most.
The Northwest region of the state has 42 ICU beds available. The governor says that represents the current set-up but the state can help adjust for space if needed.
