Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, Confirm 49 New Cases of COVID-19 (13 positive cases from Cummings prison unit, total 681 now tested positive at Cummings prison unit) for a total of 2276 total Confirmed Cases in Arkansas with 1071 active cases as of 1:30 pm as of April 22, 2020.
At the time of this press Conference, the total was 2276, (262 Health caseworkers 148 have recovered) it breaks out as 70 children under the age of 18, 162 age 18-24, 788 age 25-44, 788 age 45-64, 412 over 65, and 97 Hospitalized, 23 ICU Patients, (and three positive cases have been reported at a Batesville nursing facility as of 4-21-2020) with a total of 170 are in nursing homes. 863 people have recovered.
Notes from today’s news conference
Arkansas will lift restrictions of elective procedures effective on Monday, April 27, 2020
April 29, 2020, will have a decision on lifting restrictions for Restaurants
April 30, 2020, will have a decision on lifting restrictions for Gyms
May 1, 2020, will have a decision on lifting restrictions for Salons and Barbers
May 4, 2020, will have a decision on lifting restrictions for places of worship and larger venues
Counties confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Timeless 106.1 KFFB listening area:
Pulaski County 404 positive cases, 2,162 negative cases, Recoveries 161, 12 Deaths
Cleburne County 71 positive, 131 negative cases, Recoveries 52, 4 Deaths
Faulkner County 64 positive, 1,014 negative cases, 43 Recoveries, 2 Death
White County 29 positive, 296 negative cases, 14 Recoveries, 1 Deaths
Van Buren County 26 positive, 210 negative cases, 21 Recoveries, 2 Death
Lonoke County 27 positive, 334 negative cases, 20 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Pope County 35 positive, 1,170 negative cases, 20 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Stone County 7 positive, 78 negative cases, 6 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Searcy County 6 positive, 90 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Deaths
Independence County 8 positive, 138 negative cases, 4 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Conway County 5 positive, 196 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 1 Death
Baxter County 5 positive, 163 negative cases, 1 Recovery, 0 Death
Sharp County 2 positive, 34 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Death
Izard County 2 positive, 41 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Death
Notes from past News Conferences
An executive order of a working group for more testing
The Economic task force will be lead by Steuart Walton
Arkansas is one of the top state test per month per 1,000 people by state
Our goal is not just contact testing to more surveillance testing
We are fighting the COVID-19 everyday, we must keep our social restrictions
Grandparents and Grandchildren (those contacts of those adults over 65 is at phase 3 of lifting restrictions)
Child Abuse Awareness Month (Hotline 1-844-SAVE-A-Child available 24/7)
May 4, 2020, date Arkansas is looking to lift some restrictions but, we will be still social distancing and if you can not social distance wear a mask
May 4, 2020, is the target date for opening up the economy by lifting some restrictions during Phase 1
Under Phase One- Encourage Telework, Return to work in Phases, Close Common Areas, Minimize Non-Essential Travel, Strongly consider Special Accommodations for personnel who are members of a Vulnerable Population
Dr. Smith says we must be careful of a resurgence of COVID-19 if we are to open up our economy.
New website for unemployment ARunemployment.com (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Email Alert System scan me code on the new website)
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 Wednesday’s April 22, 2020, News Conference with Governor Asa Hutchinson
