Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, Confirm 51 New Cases of COVID-19 for a Total of 1620 total Confirmed Cases in Arkansas and 1035 active cases as of 1:30 pm as of April 16, 2020.
At the time of this press Conference, the total was 1620 (223 are health care workers, 81 have recovered), it breaks out as 52 children under the age of 18, 109 age 18-24, 507 age 25-44, 575 age 45-64, 325 over 65, (52.3% are women, 47.7% are men) and 85 Hospitalized, 21 ICU Patients and 118 are in nursing homes. 548 people have recovered.
Counties confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Timeless 106.1 KFFB listening area:
Pulaski County 355 positive cases, 1,570 negative cases, Recoveries 88, 10 Deaths
Cleburne County 70 positive, 114 negative cases, Recoveries 42, 4 Deaths
Faulkner County 59 positive, 812 negative cases, 21 Recoveries, 2 Death
White County 28 positive, 255 negative cases, 12 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Van Buren County 26 positive, 192 negative cases, 14 Recoveries, 2 Death
Lonoke County 30 positive, 270 negative cases, 11 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Pope County 33 positive, 1,090 negative cases, 11 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Stone County 7 positive, 53 negative cases, 6 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Searcy County 6 positive, 88 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Deaths
Independence County 6 positive, 68 negative cases, 4 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Conway County 5 positive, 174 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 1 Death
Baxter County 4 positive, 144 negative cases, 0 Recovery, 0 Death
Sharp County 2 positive, 20 negative cases, 1 Recovery, 0 Death
Izard County 2 positive, 27 negative cases, 1 Recovery, 0 Death
Notes from today’s news conference
New website for unemployment ARunemployment.com (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Email Alert System scan me code on the new website)
Extended hours for unemployment hotline
SBA loans for the payroll protection plan is one reason we see a leveling off of unemployment
Post peak response will be handled by the newly formed committee
COVID-19 is very highly contagious
This is a Health Crisis and Economic crisis
150,000 unemployment claims have been filed
Notes from past News Conferences
Arkansas did receive the approval for direct care worker payments
Arkansas is not at our peak for COVID-19
Arkansas is one of the lowest total deaths per 100,000 in the Nation
Arkansas has tried to decrease travel from out of state recreational travelers, they had just added Message Boards on State highways.
Executive order First Responsors and front line health care workers can file for workers comp claim because of COVID-19
Executive order Liability of immunity of medical emergency responders because of COVID-19
Our social distancing is working continue and if you can not social distance wear a mask
Unemployment easiest way to apply is online
Unemployment for self-employed and contract labor will take time a new system is being installed, be patient.
Schools will remain closed for the remainder of the School year, no in-school instruction, Sr’s will graduate, AMI will be continuing, for 2019-2020 school year
Executive order for commercial lodging and hotels – no recreational travelers allowed
Golfing is allowed with restrictions
Dr. Smith encouraging folks to be outside because of ultraviolet light decreases transmission for a wide variety of germs
If you think you have CORID-19 do not go to the Doctor or Emergency Room you must call UAMS first 800-632-4520
If you are unemployed text the word, “unemployment” to 501-376-1111
State Parks will be closed for overnight visitors to day time only
The highest risk demographic are those over 65 and those with medically compromised condition
ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus. During normal business hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm), urgent and non-urgent calls, please call 1-800-803-7847 or email ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov. After normal business hours and weekend calls, needing immediate response, please call 1-800-554-5738.
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 WEBSITE
Watch Thursday’s April 16, 2020, News Conference with Governor Asa Hutchinson
