Figures presented by Gov. Asa Hutchinson Tuesday showed Arkansas has one of the lowest rates of covid-19 infection compared to surrounding states, as well as the lowest rate of hospitalization.
The graphics presented Tuesday by the governor compared infection rates per 100,000 in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri.
Louisiana was by far the highest with 327.9. Arkansas’ rate of infection per 100,000 people was 31.8. The Natural State also has one of the lowest rates of testing, according to the numbers.
Other states included Tennessee with 59.9, then Mississippi with 58.6, then Missouri with 39.5, then Oklahoma at 35.4 then Arkansas and last, Texas, whose number was not readable when viewed via teleconference.
Hutchinson pointed to hospitalizations as perhaps a better metric for comparison, though, because although the number of people ill may be undercounted due to testing shortages, he said if someone is hospitalized, they will definitely be tested and counted.
Arkansas’ rate of hospitalization was lowest among the seven states analyzed, at 2.5 per 100,000 people.
Louisiana was highest at 39.9 per 100,000 people.
Tests performed per 100,000 for Arkansas was shown at 454.9. Only Texas and Oklahoma had fewer tests per 100,000.
Louisiana was highest at 1,525.7 tests per 100,000 people, which Hutchinson attributed to the state’s large outbreak
Hutchinson on Tuesday also emphasized his opposition to allowing cities to issue their own stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus outbreak while the state resists such a restriction.
The governor, who is among a handful of governors who haven't issued stay-at-home orders, said those restrictions need to be dealt with on a statewide basis. Hutchinson said a number of mayors have talked with him about the issue.
"I think it points up the need to have a statewide policy because if you have a business in one community, it impacts others," Hutchinson said. "If you have essential services in one community, it serves the entire state if not more."
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said he'd like to be able to issue such a restriction. Little Rock has imposed a nighttime curfew in response to the outbreak.
Health officials said the number of coronavirus cases in the state had risen to at least 946. The state reported two additional deaths, bringing its total to 18.