LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Arkansas on Tuesday reported its first two deaths from the coronavirus outbreak.
Faulkner County's deputy coroner said a 91-year-old man died Tuesday morning at a Conway hospital from COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. State Health Secretary Dr. Nathaniel Smith said the other death was a patient in their 50s in the central Arkansas area.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.
The number of coronavirus cases in the state rose from 201 on Monday to at least 218. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Monday the state faces a $353 million shortfall because of the economic fallout from the outbreak.
Hutchinson said he planned to call a special session that will begin Thursday to address the budget shortfall.