Governor Hutchinson today announced in his weekly briefing a record number of new Covid cases recorded in the state in a 24 hour period. The Arkansas Department Of Health is reporting 6,562 new cases.

Governor Hutchinson also stated the state’s active cases is at a all time high with 32,280 active cases in the state.

Death increased by 27 raising the death toll to 9,248 total deaths since the pandemic began in early 2020.

The governor said that although the Omicron variant appears to be less severe, the large increase of new cases presents challenges for the healthcare system. Hutchinson said the state has purchased an addition 1.5 million Covid test kits that are expected to arrive later this month.