49 Total Deaths of COVID-19 for a Total of 2830 Confirmed Cases in Arkansas as of 1:30 pm Saturday, April 25, 2020

Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, Confirm 89 New Cases of COVID-19 (47 positive cases from Cummings prison unit, total 826 and 33 staff now tested positive at Cummings prison unit) for a total of 2830 total Confirmed Cases in Arkansas with 1013 active cases as of 1:30 pm as of April 25, 2020.

At the time of this press Conference, the total was 2830, and 104 Hospitalized, 22 ICU Patients, (and three positive cases have been reported at a Batesville nursing facility as of 4-21-2020) with a total of 194 are in nursing homes and 109 staff.

Notes from today’s news conference

Department of Education is looking at all options moving forward with the Department of Health

Counties confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Timeless 106.1 KFFB listening area as of 4-25-2020 at 1:30pm:

Pulaski County 451 positive cases, 252 active cases, 3,086 negative cases, Recoveries 185, 14 Deaths

Cleburne County 72 positive, 16 active cases, 145 negative cases, Recoveries 52, 4 Deaths

Faulkner County 67 positive, 20 active cases, 1,180 negative cases, 45 Recoveries, 2 Death

White County 30 positive, 8 active cases, 338 negative cases, 22 Recoveries, 1 Deaths

Van Buren County 26 positive, 3 active cases, 233 negative cases, 21 Recoveries, 2 Death

Lonoke County 31 positive, 12 active cases, 409 negative cases, 20 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Pope County 37 positive, 14 active cases, 1,359 negative cases, 22 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Stone County 7 positive, 0 active cases, 88 negative cases, 7 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Searcy County 7 positive, active 0, 106 negative cases, 7 Recovery, 0 Deaths

Independence County 9 positive, 5 active cases, 135 negative cases, 4 Recoveries, 0 Deaths

Conway County 10 positive, 6 active cases, 229 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 1 Death

Baxter County 5 positive, 4 active cases, 231 negative cases, 1 Recovery, 0 Death

Sharp County 2 positive, 0 active cases, 30 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Death

Izard County 3 positive, 1 active cases, 48 negative cases, 2 Recovery, 0 Death

Notes from past News Conferences

2808 test has been given in the past 24 hours 4.1 were positive for a total of 34,745 tests given in Arkansas (From Thursday)

Goal for Dental procedures to be allowed as May 18, 2020 with directive

Another $1,000,000.00 will be given for loans for businesses

Arkansas Surge Campaign: Today and Tomorrow, 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. (Friday & Saturday, April 24-25, 2020)

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 Saturday’s April 25, 2020, News Conference with Governor Asa Hutchinson