LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered a statewide address on the current surge in COVID-19 cases, the upcoming holidays and vaccines Thursday (Dec. 10).
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,202 new COVID-19 cases in the state on Thursday, for a total since the pandemic began of over 178,000. This comes as hospitals in Northwest Arkansas hit a new record high for COVID-19 patients this week.
Gov. Hutchinson has declared a continuation of the state emergency until the end of December. This extends the statewide mask mandate.
A U.S. government advisory panel endorsed widespread use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Thursday. The FDA still has to approve emergency use for the vaccine before it can start being dispersed to Arkansas.
The first dosages of the COVID-19 vaccine that the state receives will be distributed to health care workers. The second dosage will go to nursing homes. There will be continuing deliveries to cover Arkansans after that.
Gov. Hutchinson said that 70% of the state's population will need to accept the vaccine in order for it to work.
1.3 million Arkansans have been tested for the virus at least once, which is more than 40% of people in the state.
You can watch the Governo's full address below -