Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, Confirm 66 New Cases of COVID-19 (Cummings prison unit, at a total of 865 and 51 staff now tested positive at Cummings prison unit) for a total of 3321 total Confirmed Cases in Arkansas with 1973 recovered, 1284 active cases as of 1:30 pm as of May 1, 2020.
At the time of this press Conference, the total was 3321, and 95 Hospitalized, 23 ICU Patients, with a total of 229 are in nursing homes and 142 staff. (23 of the total deaths are from nursing homes.) age 0-17: 96, age 18-24: 266, age 25-44: 1,244, age 45-64: 1,105,age 65+: 543
Notes from today’s news conference
Update (85 million Additional money) on the Arkansas Ready for Business 15 million dollar Grant Program (To assist companies during the reopening phase): Grant to offset expenses associated with ensuring the health and safety of employees and patrons, Eligible expenses included personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer stations, cleaning supplies and services, and other one-time expenses to enable a business to reopen or resume normal operations, All industry sectors are eligible, $1,000.00 per full-time employee, up to $100,000 per company, employee headcount and eligible expenses backdated to March 1, 2020.
May 6, 2020 lift restrictions at phase one of Barber, Cosmetology, Massage Therapy, Body Art, and Medical Spa Services: Ten or fewer people in facility, Larger facilities, no more than 30% of stations in operation, No walk-in appointments, Clients should wait outside or in cars until ready, Time set between appointments for cleaning, 6-foot distance between clients during appointments, in wait area, Client names, contact information recorded, Vulnerable populations should consider staying home
A reminder that May 4, 2020 lift restrictions at phase one of Gym and Fitness Center Reopening, Screening for staff and patrons, No entry for: recent travelers to N.Y, N.J., Conn., New Orleans, overseas, those with fever, symptoms, recent contact with COVID-19 patient, anyone with compromised immune systems or chronic diseases. Temperature check for staff, Face Coverings for Staff and patrons, except when actively exercising. No pools, spas, showers, saunas, hand sanitizer available, Equipment sanitized after each use, 12-foot distancing while working out + during training sessions, classes, no personal contact
Counties confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Timeless 106.1 KFFB listening area (as of 1:30 pm on May 1, 2020):
Pulaski County 518 total positive cases, 247 active cases, 4,386 negative cases, Recoveries 254, 16 Deaths
Faulkner County 76 total positive cases, 20 active cases, 1,401 negative cases, 54 Recoveries, 2 Death
Cleburne County 73 total positive cases, 7 active cases, 158 negative cases, Recoveries 62, 4 Deaths
Pope County 43 total positive cases, 9 active cases, 1,440 negative cases, 34 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Lonoke County 41 total positive cases, 16 active cases, 509 negative cases, 25 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
White County 34 total positive cases, 5 active cases, 393 negative cases, 26 Recoveries, 1 Death
Van Buren County 28 total positive, 2 active cases, 243 negative cases, 24 Recoveries, 2 Death
Conway County 13 total positive cases, 8 active cases, 269 negative cases, 4 Recovery, 1 Death
Independence County 9 total positive cases, 4 active cases, 171 negative cases, 5 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Stone County 7 total positive cases, 0 active cases, 90 negative cases, 7 Recoveries, 0 Deaths
Searcy County 6 total positive cases, 1 active case, 84 negative cases, 7 Recovery, 0 Deaths
Sharp County 10 total positive cases, 7 active cases, 55 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 0 Death
Baxter County 5 total positive cases, 0 active cases, 258 negative cases, 5 Recovery, 0 Death
Izard County 5 total positive cases, 2 active cases, 56 negative cases, 3 Recovery, 0 Death
Notes from past News Conferences
Restaurants open for limited dining service beginning May 11, 2020, at phase #1: Physical distancing between patrons and tables, reservations encourage, face coverings, Gloves for staff, Daily staff screenings, Frequent handwashing, Pre-order when possible, No groups over 10 people, Senior hour is encouraged, no self-service, Clean-Disinfect Tables and menus after each meal, Bars and entertainment within restaurants prohibited.
2520 test given in a 24 hour period with a 1.5% positively cases
Dr. Smith says Protective equipment for Restaurants cloth face mask, gloves (need to be washed just as washing hands)
Arkansas Ready for Business 15 million dollar Grant Program (To assist companies during the reopening phase): Grant to offset expenses associated with ensuring the health and safety of employees and patrons, Eligible expenses included personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer stations, cleaning supplies and services, and other one-time expenses to enable a business to reopen or resume normal operations, All industry sectors are eligible, $1,000.00 per full-time employee, up to $100,000 per company, employee headcount and eligible expenses backdated to March 1, 2020.
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.
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 Friday’s May 1, 2020, News Conference with Governor Asa Hutchinson
