LITTLE ROCK – There were 824 new cases, seven deaths, and an increase of nine hospitalizations reported at today’s COVID-19 daily update.

The counties with the highest number of new cases are as follows:

Washington-62

Pulaski-120

Benton-45

Craighead-46

Sebastian-30

Jefferson-29

The Governor announced that he is directing $10 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to purchase 20,000 Wi-Fi access points for students across the state. This purchase will assist in remote instruction (if needed) for students in rural areas currently without internet access.

Education Secretary Johnny Key announced the Department of Education will direct $1 million to purchase a strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment.  The department is also surveying school districts to assess readiness for the 2020-2021 school year.

The Governor announced the Department of Health had purchased 200 point-of-care COVID-19 tests.