Arkansas reports 19 more COVID-19 deaths as virus cases rise

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas on Wednesday reported 19 more people have died from the illness caused by the coronavirus.

The Department of Health reported the total number of fatalities from COVID-19 now totals 1,369. That number includes confirmed and probable cases.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections on Wednesday reported its second employee death from COVID-19. A department spokeswoman said Don Rigney, an education and program manager at the Riverside Vocational Technical School at the Ouachita River Unit, died Friday at a Hot Springs hospital. Forty-two inmates have died since the pandemic began.

The state’s confirmed cases increased by 607 to 80,610. The state’s probable cases increased by 335 to 3,087. The number of people hospitalized remained unchanged at 490.

The actual number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Arkansas ranks seventh in the country for new cases per capita, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.