Photo by Jeri Borst
Gov. Asa Hutchinson gave the last in a series of daily COVID-19 press conferences in Mena Friday, Sept. 11. Mena Mayor Seth Smith, inset photo left, and Representative John Maddox, right, along with other leaders were able to visit with the governor.
By Jeri Borst
Mena Mayor Seth Smith introduced Gov. Asa Hutchinson at the last daily COVID-19 Taskforce press conference in Mena on Friday.
Before sharing COVID-19 updates, Hutchinson shared he was encouraged after meeting with local leaders who reported a smooth start of the school year and a solid local economy.
The Governor also took a moment to honor Patriot Day and the lives lost and brave heroes who answered the call as a result of the September 11 attacks that occurred 19 years ago.
The last meeting did not start on a high note, however, with Hutchinson reporting the highest number of confirmed new coronavirus cases, 1,107 since the pandemic began. The record was previously set on Sept. 4 when state officials confirmed 1,094 additional cases. .
Hutchinson addressed national reporting in relation to a recent study from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. This study linked dining out to the spread of COVID-19. Hutchinson said he and state health officials did not see that correlation in Arkansas’ data. That data, as well as statewide contact tracing efforts, suggested Arkansans carrying COVID-19 were several times more likely to visit a retail environment than a restaurant.
In review, state officials reported a new one-day record in COVID-19 case growth on Friday of 1,107.
Hutchinson will provide statewide updates weekly and as needed going forward, concluding the daily COVID-19 news conference that has continuously been held since the beginning of the pandemic.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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