'Delta Variant Spread' Arkansas Governor: "Only 8 ICU Beds Available"

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] As the Delta variant spreads and the number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States surges, the governor of Arkansas appealed that the situation is serious, stating that only eight intensive care unit (ICU) beds remain available.

According to major foreign media on the 9th (local time), Asa Hutchinson, governor of Arkansas, posted on his official Twitter account, "The number of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection has increased to an all-time high," adding, "Only eight ICU beds remain in Arkansas."

Governor Hutchinson encouraged residents to get vaccinated, saying that vaccines can reduce the number of hospitalized patients. He advised against hesitating or refusing vaccination due to misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arkansas saw an increase of 15,841 new confirmed cases over the past seven days.

Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, which borders Arkansas, requested hospitals to postpone elective surgeries. Elective surgeries refer to operations scheduled in advance because the patient's condition is not immediately urgent. Texas reported 88,310 new confirmed cases over the past seven days.

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States has recently exceeded 100,000 daily. In particular, the recent surge in new cases is concentrated in southeastern states.

In Florida, 28,317 new cases were confirmed in a single day on the 8th, setting a record high. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida broke its record for eight consecutive days. Florida recorded 157,388 new cases over the past seven days.

In Louisiana and Alabama, 28,420 and 22,976 new cases were confirmed respectively over the past seven days. New Orleans, the largest city in Louisiana, decided to cancel its Jazz Festival for the second consecutive year.

Child infections are also increasing nationwide in the U.S. Health experts explain that the Delta variant spreads more easily to children than the previously prevalent Alpha variant. In response, the leader of the second-largest teachers' union in the U.S. announced plans to mandate vaccinations for teachers to prevent infections among young students.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.