45 Total Deaths of COVID-19 for a Total of 2465 Confirmed Cases in Arkansas as of 1:30 pm Thursday, April 23, 2020

Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, Confirm 189 New Cases of COVID-19 (122 positive cases from Cummings prison unit, total 687 and 35 staff now tested positive at Cummings prison unit) for a total of 2465 total Confirmed Cases in Arkansas with 1071 active cases as of 1:30 pm as of April 23, 2020.

At the time of this press Conference, the total was 2465, (262 Health caseworkers 148 have recovered) it breaks out as 70 children under the age of 18, 162 age 18-24,  818 age 25-44, 804 age 45-64,  417 over 65, and 101 Hospitalized, 24 ICU Patients, (and three positive cases have been reported at a Batesville nursing facility as of 4-21-2020) with a total of 174 are in nursing homes. 902 people have recovered.

Notes from today’s news conference

Recommendations from the Governors working Testing Group: 1. Expand PCR Testing for all patients with symptoms. 2. Expand PCR testing for contact investigations. 3 Screen for high-risk settings. 4 Develop a strategy for statewide serosurveillance.

Arkansas Surge Campaign: Two-day surge Testing campaign, if you think you have symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath get tested for COVID-19. Testing is available. Call your health care provider first, and follow their guidance.

Counties confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Timeless 106.1 KFFB listening area:

Pulaski County 422 positive cases, 2,426 negative cases, Recoveries 170, 12 Deaths

Cleburne County 71 positive, 141 negative cases, Recoveries 52, 4 Deaths

Faulkner County 64 positive, 1,014 negative cases, 43 Recoveries, 2 Death

White County 29 positive, 299 negative cases, 14 Recoveries, 1 Deaths

Van Buren County 26 positive, 216 negative cases, 21 Recoveries, 2 Death

Lonoke County 29 positive, 360 negative cases, 20 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Pope County 36 positive, 1,167 negative cases, 20 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Stone County 7 positive, 78 negative cases, 7 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Searcy County 6 positive, 92 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Deaths

Independence County 8 positive, 141 negative cases, 4 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Conway County 8 positive, 209 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 1 Death

Baxter County 5 positive, 165 negative cases, 1 Recovery, 0 Death

Sharp County 2 positive, 34 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Death

Izard County 2 positive, 43 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Death

Notes from past News Conferences

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

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 Thursday’s April 23, 2020, News Conference with Governor Asa Hutchinson