Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, Confirm 94 New Cases of COVID-19 (20 positive cases from Cummings prison unit, total 860 and 51 staff now tested positive at Cummings prison unit) for a total of 3111 total Confirmed Cases in Arkansas with 1146 recovered, 1913 active cases as of 1:30 pm as of April 28, 2020.
At the time of this press Conference, the total was 3111, and 104 Hospitalized, 20 ICU Patients, with a total of 208 are in nursing homes and 115 staff.
Notes from today’s news conference
Reminder tomorrow April 29, 2020, will have a decision on lifting restrictions for Restaurants
May 1, 2020, Arkansas State Parks phase #1 opening for overnight stay of camping for in-state resident RV’s only, no bathrooms to be open.
May 15, 2020, Arkansas State Parks phase #1 open use of Cabins, Lodges, and Rent-A-RV, Reservations limited to Friday through Monday only to Allow for cleaning, In-State Residents only
May 15, 2020, Arkansas State Parks phase #1 opening the following to limited capacity and with social distancing enforced: Restaurants and Food Service Facilities, Museums and Exhibits, Retail including Visitor Centers, Gift Shops, and Golf Pro Shops, Marinas and Rental Equipment.
Counties confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Timeless 106.1 KFFB listening area as of 4-28-2020 at 5:00 pm :
Pulaski County 490 total positive cases, 242 active cases, 3,635 negative cases, Recoveries 232, 16 Deaths
Faulkner County 75 total positive cases, 21 active cases, 1,302 negative cases, 52 Recoveries, 2 Death
Cleburne County 72 total positive cases, 8 active cases, 151 negative cases, Recoveries 60, 4 Deaths
Pope County 42 total positive cases, 11 active cases, 1,373 negative cases, 31 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Lonoke County 40 total positive cases, 17 active cases, 457 negative cases, 20 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
White County 31 total positive cases, 5 active cases, 381 negative cases, 25 Recoveries, 1 Deaths
Van Buren County 27 total positive, 3 active cases, 236 negative cases, 22 Recoveries, 2 Death
Conway County 12 total positive cases, 8 active cases, 250 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 1 Death
Independence County 9 total positive cases, 4 active cases, 152 negative cases, 5 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Stone County 7 total positive cases, 0 active cases, 88 negative cases, 7 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Searcy County 6 total positive cases, 1 active cases, 107 negative cases, 5 Recovery, 0 Deaths
Sharp County 6 total positive cases, 3 active cases, 39 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 0 Death
Baxter County 5 total positive cases, 1 active case, 234 negative cases, 4 Recovery, 0 Death
Izard County 5 total positive cases, 2 active cases, 55 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 0 Death
Notes from past News Conferences
Over 1,500 test given each day over the last three days
Proposed state Criteria percent of daily ER visits for COVID-19 like illness Arkansas is on the downward trend
Proposed state Criteria downward trajectory of documented cases or downward trajectory of positive tests, Arkansas is on the downward trend
Proposed state Criteria for Hospitals treat all patients without crisis care and robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, Arkansas has met this requirement
Department of Education is looking at all options moving forward with the Department of Health
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
The Economic task force will be lead by Stuart Walton
Arkansas is one of the top state testing 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 Tuesday’s April 28, 2020, News Conference with Governor Asa Hutchinson
