The first death related to COVID-19 was reported Tuesday in Miller County.
Miller County Health Center Director Michael Herbert would not give any information about the person who died, saying he wanted to protect the privacy of the family.
"Currently we have a total of 109 cases, of which 22 remain active," Herbert said. "Although the total continues to rise, the rate of recovery is near the rate of new cases, maintaining a steady balance of around 20 active cases. Of the 109 cases reported to date, four have been or are currently hospitalized."
Herbert added the Health Center is "strongly encouraging businesses to adopt policies requiring the use of masks by their staff, especially those employees that cannot distance themselves from co-workers and customers."
Herbert also said salons are encouraged to require their customers to wear masks, but also be flexible with those with a medical reason to not wear one.
"Please respect businesses' right to require masks," Herbert concluded. "Their employees are our friends, family and neighbors and are at a greater risk of contracting the virus as they work directly with the public."
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and congestion or runny nose. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the coronavirus, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home, according to the CDC. Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to the coronavirus should contact their health care provider and stay home when sick, the CDC advises.