With the holidays quickly approaching, Governor Asa Hutchinson expressed concern over the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the state in a press release on Wednesday.

• Top counties for new cases are Washington, 272; Pulaski, 265; Benton, 260; Faulkner, 123; and Craighead, 109.
• The Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,893 new cases; 22,516 active cases; 1,110 hospitalized, 174 on ventilators. 38 deaths added yesterday, a total of 3,376; a total of 207,941 cases; 155,447 recoveries; PCR tests, 8,604; antigen tests, 3,697.
• Governor Hutchinson encouraged Arkansans to avoid gathering in large groups this holiday season in order to protect yourself and family.