LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas reported 990 new cases of the coronavirus Friday and eight additional deaths.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said at a Friday news conference that Arkansan residents need to continue taking precautions as they enter the weekend.
"Wear your mask, make sure that you socially distance ... it's the backyard barbecues, it is the swim parties, it is other things that we're not careful in that can lead to a spread of this," Hutchinson added.
The additional cases now bring the state's total so far to 37,249. The true 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.
On Thursday, Arkansas reported its second-highest increase in confirmed cases with 1,013.
As of Friday, the state reported 394 deaths.