Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 Press Conference 5/29/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3nyLlelGAY
-6538 yesterday, today another 239 cases to 6777, 237 community cases
- 1699 active cases; 73 in nursing home, 144 in correctional, 1482 are community cases
- Recovered- 4946, increase of 363 from yesterday
- 53 new cases in Washington County, 38 in Benton County
- Hospitalizations are going up in Northwest Arkansas more than other regions of the state
-Of the 237 new community cases- 25 new cases in health care workers, 12 nursing home residents, -15 nursing home staff.
-Up 9 hospitalizations to 113- the highest we have had
-Up 7 deaths to 132
-About ½ of the cases were asymptomatic
-We have tested 4% of the population so far- 121,302 tests done to date
-Northwest Region- multiple days with high numbers of cases. 120 cases yesterday. Today nearly 80 cases. 7 day rolling average is going up.
-3 regions are on a downward trend, but Southwest and Northwest Arkansas are going up.
-Tracking lifting of restrictions and the new cases we have. We continue to do contact tracing. Not seeing a connectivity with the number of new cases and the lifting of restrictions
-2,702 tests done yesterday to over 70,000 for the month of May
-4.1% positivity percent, still less than half of what the national standard is.
-Number of active cases has increased in Arkansas. Higher than the first peak.
-Executive Order singed for technical advisory group
-Ask everyone to carefully social distance to protect others as well as yourself. Be cautious over the weekend.
-Reopening- tent camping June 1, bath houses opening June 1.

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 5/27/2020 Press Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6IYyMmhxkA

-Case update: 6,180 cases yesterday, up 97 to 6,277 cases; 1,733 are active, 68 in nursing home, 466 in correctional facilities, 1,999 cases in community

-4424 who have recovered, an increase of 92 from yesterday

-Up 1 to 108 hospitalizations; up 1 death to 120

-4,033 tests with a 1.9% positivity rate in the last 24 hours

-117,076 tests to date

-Statewide increases by age group:

Age 0-17: May 17= 190 cases, May 23= 278 cases, 46.3% increase

Ages 18-24: May 17= 281 cases, May 23= 372 cases, 32.3% increase

Ages 25-44: May 17= 988 cases, May 23= 1249 cases, 26.4% increase

Ages 45-64: May 17= 947 cases, May 23= 1156 cases, 22.6% increase

Ages 65+: May 17- 655 cases, May 2= 759 cases, 15.8% increase

-Have done 66,299 tests in May

-Still well below the 10% national standard of positivity rates

-Has been an outbreak with poultry related

-Have not seen a correlation with new cases and opening up businesses including restaurants, barber shops, daycares, gyms, church services, etc.

-Continue to social distance, wear masks, frequent handwashing, staying away when you are sick

-Since the beginning 575 heath care workers have tested positive, 447 have recovered

-They are working on a plan for K-12 schools. Part of it is blended education- classroom and online instruction.

-Expect school to start in the regular fashion

-There is both a spike in cases and hospitalizations- but still have the capacity to treat those who need it. Seeing increased disease activities in our communities. It’s important to look at where the cases are occurring.

-Children 0-17 have to be looked at more closely because we are seeing a noted uptick in that population. Children are very much carriers for this disease.

-Convalescent plasma- plasma that has antibodies from someone who has recovered. We believe it is effective based on certain conditions.

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 5/26/2020 Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpSqx-Msxco

-6,029 yesterday, increase of 151 cases for a total 6,180
-1,729 are active cases, 72 in nursing homes, 466 correctional facilities, 1,191 community cases
-4,332 who have recovered
-Hospitalizations have gone up to 107 from 99.
-Deaths have increased to 119
-Tests- 2,984 yesterday with a 3.3% positivity rate
-Goal of 60k in May- over the holiday weekend we surpassed over 61,000 tests
-We need to continue to practice social distancing and being responsible in your daily tasks
-39.3% are 25-44; (largest single age group) 14.3% are 65+ and older
-Deaths: 31% of deaths in SE Arkansas, 30% in Central Arkansas, 19% in NE Arkansas, 11% SW Arkansas, 8.4% in NW Arkansas.
-29 cases in last 24 hours in Washington County, 16 in Benton County
-301 cases in the poultry industry
-Exceeded the goal of testing 2% of the population.


-Each of us need to do the following:
Wear masks
Maintaining 6 feet social distancing
Not having gatherings larger than 10
Continue to take precautions


-Why are we worried about a disease of 99% recover? Because there’s still 1% who don't recover. Think about how it may affect our loved one.
-1% of the population in Arkansas would be 30,000 deaths that is not acceptable.

-Pandemic Unemployment Assistant $16.8 million has been sent to 15,000 claimants. There are 10,000 more that are eligible.

-Arkansas Department of Health Change- Dr. Nate Smith has accepted a job with the CDC in Atlanta. He will continue his leadership in Arkansas through August 28.
-Dr. Jose Romero will serve as Interim Secretary of Health. Pediatric Infectious disease specialist. Also Chair of advisory committee on immunization practices.

-Whose jurisdiction is it if people are overcrowding on lakes. Depends on the governing party- could be Game and Fish or Corps of Engineers- however, these are guidelines. We are not asking local law enforcements to enforce the guidelines. We ask people to have conversations.


Question from journalist:
What you can do as Governor to de-politicize this disease?

Governor Hutchinson:
All I can do is set a good example; I've done that. And encourage people to put public health above any other consideration in terms of wearing a mask and socially distancing. This is not about politics, it’s not about a philosophy other than being a good neighbor and being a good citizen and doing the right thing. And that’s just the message that we have to understand in our hearts and try to communicate that because it’s the health of people and people that we care about.

Sometimes I think that people believe that if they don’t wear a mask, they are only endangering themselves, like not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle and that it’s an expression of freedom. And so we really have to drill into everyone and continue to educate that it’s not about your health, it’s also about your neighbor’s health and that’s why you wear a mask, is to protect others. And that is teamwork in Arkansas, and we want people to concentrate on that.

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/23/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkVie-IbM6s

Yesterday 5,612 cases, today up 163 for a total of 5,775.

Of these new cases, 160 in the community and 3 in correctional facilities two counties are Benton County 23 and Washington 20 cases.

In Benton County most were in Rogers, some family clusters. Washington have been mostly in Springdale. Unknown if they are poultry plants.

1,564 Active cases- 88 in nursing homes, 509 in correctional, 967 in community

4,096 have recovered, 67 more than yesterday

3,195 tests in the last 24 hours

Increase of 5 hospitalizations to 86.

Additional 2 deaths up to 115.

We are on an uptick for the 7-day new case rolling average.

2nd highest reports of positive cases yesterday.

Currently hospitalized, on a small uptick as well, but more steady



How should we respond with a second peak?

Recognize testing levels help us find more cases. That allows our contact tracing to be quicker and more responsive. Expanded testing means we have improved our “early radar”. 3,195 tests in the last 24 hours

Keep an eye on the hospitalization. Our main fear was that we wouldn’t have enough hospital beds that would need care. We are still in good shape now. If cases go up, but hospitalizations have less of an increase, means we are identifying those who are positive but not very ill and not require hospitalizations.

Positivity rate- we are still below the 10% benchmark. It is around the 5% level. Last 24 hours was 3.5%

Watch the deaths. While it is incredibly sad, per capita, Arkansas has one of the lowest death rates in the country

We need to be disciplined in your personal safety habits. It means there are more people out there who have the virus and it can still spread.

REMAIN DISCIPLINED IN YOUR DAILY ACTIVITIES; CONTINUE TO BE SAFE.



Pandemic unemployment assistance

Increase of money flowing out

12,930 claimants

Creating the Governor’s Technical Advisory Board- will look at new technologies

Dr. Austin Porter, III chairing the Technical Advisory Board.

Apps for contact tracing, help us manage and build the infrastructure that we will need for the fall.

A number of technologies are available, looking into how we can utilize the contact tracing.



Testing:

54866 tests done in May. Will exceed the goal of 60k tests in May.

Total tests to date= 105,628.

Doing targeting testing in communities. Today we are in Springdale, next week Dardanelle. Then W. Memphis, Pine Bluff, and De Queen, Jonesboro, Wrightsville, El Dorado

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/22/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB6sdJil9IY

April national unemployment rate 14.7%; Arkansas at 10.2%

102k Arkansans are unemployed compared to 2 months ago

7,105 claims have been paid another 3,000 more will have funds sent out tonight. PUA website.

5,458 cases yesterday, today we have an additional 154 cases, of those 135 are in the community. Total cases 5,612. 19 were from correctional facilities

1,470 active cases. 4,029 have recovered. Increase of 114 from yesterday

86 in nursing homes, 510 correction 874 are active community cases.

Hospitalizations have gone down 5 to 81.

Up 3 deaths to 113 deaths in Arkansas.

Today is the second highest amount of cases

Have tested 51,275 in May

622 cases to date at FCI in Forrest City

2,909 tests yesterday with positivity rate if 4.4%

102,041 have been tested to date

22 new cases in Benton County.

Updating directive for elective surgery. Will go into effect Monday, May 25. Testing still required within 72 hours.

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 Press Conference 5/21/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJpPSE3f3V8
5,003 cases yesterday, today increase of 455, for a total of 5,458 cases
1,433 are active cases
3,915 recovered, an increase of 63
455 new cases- 229 are from correctional facilities, 226 community cases
Reflection of increased testing- spread out through many parts on the state (27 new cases in Benton County) Definitely a concern, but it needs to be put in context and perspective. We will be using active contact tracing to determine risk factors and determine if there are outbreaks and community spread.
Largest single day increase since reporting began
Of the active cases: 543 are correction, 94 nursing homes, 796 are community cases
86 hospitalized
110 deaths, up 3
Tested 2,616 in the last 24 hours, keeps us on target to do 60k tests
4.4% positivity rate

7 day rolling average- going up. Yes, this is a concern, but also a reflection of increased testing
There has been a huge decrease in blood donations, this poses a large challenge to those who need blood for medical procedures. If you are a regular donor, please go donate now. If not, please consider donating.
Continue to check the Arkansas Department of Health website for updated case numbers per county: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/c2ef4a4fcbe5458fbf2e48a21e4fece9

Overnight summer camps – very complicated, please refer specifically to the directive. Will be completed and up on the website by the end of the day.

Looking at apps to help with data tracking and contact tracing and continue to “beef up” this section of the ADH.


Cases in children:
Fortunately, children are less likely to get severe complications, but there are some complications that can occur among children.
Dr. Jose Romero- UAMS and Children's Hospital Chief of Children's Infectious Diseases, Chair of CDC on Immunization Practices.
Multi organ inflammatory syndrome- severe inflammatory disease that follows the infection- as of now we have not had any cases in Arkansas.
Approximately 200 cases of the multi system inflammatory syndrome reported so far across the country. There is treatment for this. This mimics the kawasaki disease and treatment is similar.


Team Sports Directive- Effective June 1
Applies to team sports for K-12, not for intercollegiate sports
Will revisit close-contact sports June 30
Ticket sales online if possible
Team practice, competition prohibited for closed contact sports like basketball, wrestling, football, volleyball, soccer, martial arts
Individual practice with own equipment permitted
Conditioning/training OK with limited group size, distancing
Cheerleading and dance may practice under gym directive restrictions
Practice, competition allowed for limited-contact team sports like baseball, softball, track, gymnastics, swimming
Physical distancing whenever possible
Use own equipment/disinfect any that is shared
Participation discouraged if 65+ or have health issues
Physical distancing except during active sports activity
Athletes, coaches, staff asked about fever, symptoms, exposure
Face coverings for everyone 10 or older
Athletes can remove during active sports activity
Coaches, staff must wear at all times
Showers prohibited; locker rooms only used for storage
Frequent sanitizing of equipment, facilities
Avoid huddles, high fives, any other non-sport related contact
Directive for gyms applies to training facilities
Directive for venues, dining applies to athletic event facilities
If athletes are training in a gym- they need to follow the directive of gyms
If outside certainly the number can be quite a bit more
Spectators will follow for large outdoor venues.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:
Website is now secured and is operational.
As of noon today, 15,000 claimants have been emailed to say they can go online to enter weekly claim.
Thousands of claims were processed and claimants will receive monetary assistance shortly.

Steuart Walton- Chairman, Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force:
Proud of businesses for taking precautions and serving our residents in novel and new ways
Arkansas Ready for Business website- please look to https://arkansasready.com/ for guidelines. Check this site regularly for updates.
Arkansasready.com

Overnight Summer Camps- Effective May 31 directive will be on the website at the end of the day

Schools- the CDC gives a lot of things to consider. Will talk to secretary Key, we have plans to open and we look to incorporate as many guidelines as possible.


People refusing to wear face masks in dine in restaurants-
Governor Hutchinson's response:
[sic] “Patrons need to understand that they need to wear masks until they are served. These businesses are doing what they need to do to protect their own health as well as the patrons. Whenever somebody comes in without wearing a mask, it’s not then about your health, as much it is about everybody else health around, and so it’s a very selfish act to say we’re not going to abide by those guidelines that are meant to protect you and others. So I hope that there’s a lot of patience, but primarily it’s your decision, if you don’t want to go in there and dine that’s OK, that’s you’re decision, but don’t blame it on the owner of the restaurant or the waitstaff there”.

Steuart Walton response:
[sic] “It’s something that you do for other people, it’s not something you do for yourself, and when you start to think about it in that light, it maybe brings a little more emotion to it. The virus is real and it’s really important that we continue to reduce cases and case numbers in the state because as people see these numbers grow, confidence is going to go the opposite direction and wearing a mask or face covering is just imperative in places where it's impossible to socially distance and a restaurant happens to be one of those , I would encourage restaurant owners to be brave and request folks who come in to wear a mask, and as a patron of a restaurant show up with a mask”.

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrgm4pwgRKA
-4,813 cases yesterday, up 110 to 4,923- 4 in correctional, 106 community
-1,082 are active case, 86 in nursing home, 369 correctional, 630 in community
-Total of 1,082 active cases- only 3 had reported being to a restaurant, 6 to a barber shop, 4 to a gym, 10 to a church
-3,709 who have recovered
-77 hospitalization, up 1 to 78
-Additional 2 deaths, up to 102
-Yesterday was the second highest day of new cases in the community since the beginning of the pandemic.
-39,700 tests done to date in May
-3,014 tests done May 18, positivity rate of 1.5% yesterday
-3 counties with more than 10 new cases yesterday- Pulaski, Sevier and St. Francis
-Looking to the future of nursing home care: beginning June 1- goal to test every nursing home resident and staff in every nursing home in Arkansas. Will be 40-50k tests.
-Nursing home facilities working with ADH to reduce the spread of COVID-19. - 325 patients who have tested positive, 189 nursing home staff who positive
-FCI in Forrest City by CDC- getting results back, 585 inmates and 17 staff tested positive
-Data breach on the PUA unemployment site- they are working toward securing the system and working to get payments processed.

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwpBZUKxZw
-On Sunday had 4,759 total cases, added 54 cases to a total of 4,813
-1068 active cases- 378 in correctional institutions, 99 in nursing homes 591 in community.
-3,645 recovered, increase of 55 since yesterday.
-2,329 tests in the last 24 hours, 2.8% positivity
-Increase of 12 for hospitalization to 77.
-Deaths increased by 2 to 100
-54 new cases since yesterday, 53 from community
-Had 4,578 cases Saturday, added 181 cases Sunday. 131 in correctional facilities, 50 in the community
-550 tests in Forrest City done Saturday. Most extensive testing done in any community since pandemic began. Have not received all results, did get 290 results- 24 were positive.

-Bars-
-Bars that are associated and in restaurant facilities can be open effective May 19.
-Free standing bars- still giving a little more time for proper safety precautions- will be able to open Tuesday, May 26.

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMrFyIfjra4
-After Monday, May 18, all retail stores in Arkansas are open for business except bars.
-4,366 yesterday, 97 new cases to 4,463 cases
-97- 79 in community, 18 are from correctional facilities (11 in Jefferson, 10 in Crittenden, 9 in Polk, 7 Pulaski County)
-3,390 recovered, an increase of 50 from yesterday Decrease of 4- to 65 hospitalizations
-975 active cases- 322 in correctional, 102 nursing homes, 551 in community
-7 day rolling average- is flattening out again
-Testing- goal of 60,000 tests in May
-www.AR.Gov/COVID for closest testing facilities
-We have done 29,389 tests so far in May
-All local open health units will have testing for COVID-19 beginning Monday
-Tourism is 2nd leading business is Arkansas
-Today is the reopening day for state lodges and cabins
-Expect to stay in Phase 1 until we are confident that we will not have a resurgence.

Governor Hutchinson showed an infographic of how contact tracing works during his daily COVID-19 press conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3woYHVJCyS8
-Cases yesterday 4,236 up 130 cases, to 4,366 cases (17 in correctional facility, 113 community)
-928 active cases- 305 in correctional, 101 nursing homes, 522 in community
-3,340 who have recovered, up 63
-51 nursing homes with one or more cases, 179 staff have tested positive
-Increase of 5 hospitalizations to 69
-Up to 98 deaths, up 9
-1,991 tests, 2.6% positivity rate
-Trending up a bit with number of cases. As you increase testing, the case numbers will go up.
-Active cases have also gone up
-Walmart has increased testing sites in Ark- W Memphis, Jonesboro, Hot Springs and Texarkana. Was already in Bentonville, Ft. Smith and Little Rock.
-Case tracking system- works in combination with the testing.
-Looked into the 64 new cases from last Saturday (May 8). Going through the contact tracing for each case for that day. Gives us a good idea of exactly where they are in Arkansas- if it’s a small exposure or a sign of a potential outbreak.
-Need everyone to be responsive to the Department of Health and be cooperative if they call.
-778 Million in the trust fund for unemployment
-Have paid out $357.9 million through unemployment assistance program.
-Serologic testing not recommended by the CDC to be used for clinical purposes at this time because there are false negatives and occasionally false positives. We will be using those to as part of a seroprevalence study to see how many have tested positive in the community. It is difficult to interpret for individuals.

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T60JY-KFJOs

-4,164 cases yesterday, additional 72 today to 4,236 cases (only 1 in correctional facility)

-862 active cases- 295 in correctional facilities, 90 in nursing homes, 477 in the community

-3,277 recovered, an increase of 57

-64 hospitalization, up 5

-Up 2 deaths to 97

-Active cases: from the chart- 10-29 active cases in Benton County, 10-29 active cases in Washington County

-Testing- goal to have 60,000 tests done in the month of May

-(On 5/12) 23,949 tests to date in May.

-Since March 11 – done 73,215 tests

-Testing is our radar system- gives us an early warning of a potential outbreak

-We have to work through the potential of COVID-19 for the next year until there is a vaccine

-15.9% of cases over 65, but represent 71.6% of deaths

-Over 200 contact tracing, goal of reaching 350.

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/12/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOjKmluy-vo
-Case updates:
-Yesterday 4,043 cases up 121 cases to 4,164 cases
-Active cases 849
-3,220 recovered
-121 new cases: 100 are community (27 of the 100 are in St. Francis County- where the Federal Correctional Institution is located) 21 in correctional facilities
-Down 2 to 59 hospitalizations
-95 deaths, up one
-1,753 tests- want to increase numbers
-Hospitalizations continue to go down, but we expect an upward tick with increased cases
-Cummins- 900 inmates, 60 staff
No new report at FCI in Forrest City
-Will look at making a decision about bars restrictions on May 18
-Summer camps and team sports- will make an announcement on May 20
-Dr. Fauci said, “My concern is that we will start to see little spikes that will turn into outbreaks”.
-We continue to follow CDC guidelines and are working hard to make sure these little spikes do not become outbreaks or a resurgence
-Arkansas received a quantity of the new drug Remdesivir drug and will be distributed by the Arkansas Department of Health. Have enough for 50 patients.

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/11/2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFh6kUcwvzw
-Governor Hutchinson broadcast the press conference from El Dorado, AR.
-Cases:
-Saturday 3,984, now 4,048 cases, 59 new cases over the weekend.
-803 active cases, - 278 of those in correctional facilities, 86 nursing homes, 439 in the community.
-3,149 who have recovered.
-61 hospitalized, 11 on a ventilator.
-Up to 94 deaths.
-49 nursing homes with cases.
-Positivity rate remains very low.
-7 day rolling average- downward trend, small uptick, and now back in the right direction.
-Cummins- 9 hospitalized, 1 on ventilator and 7 deaths
-Federal Correction Institute in Forrest City- total of 332 cases in inmates and up to 16 in staff

Department of Commerce-
-Unemployment insurance checks- over 100,000 this week
-Pandemic Unemployment Assistance System= 23,000 file claims via the – hoping to file those checks in the next few weeks.
https://arunemployment.com/ where you can process that information if you are self-employed, contractor, etc.
-Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation System now up and running for those who had been out of work prior to the pandemic hitting


Need to continue to socially distance and wear masks.

-Baseball, soccer are considered team sports; that announcement will be late May
-There are individual practice opportunities if you maintain social distancing and comply with the guidelines, but not yet approved for team sport.

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/9/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GCPWRZ-iTg
-It is important to remember that we are still dealing with the pandemic. Governor Hutchinson encouraged everyone to wear masks and socially distance.
-3,747 yesterday, up 237 new cases up to 3,984
-Active cases 837, of those 275 in correctional facilities, 88 in nursing homes 474 in the community
-3,057 recovered cases
-173 in correctional facilities, 64 community cases
-64 hospitalizations- same as yesterday
-Up 2 deaths to 90
-1,922 tests completed yesterday
-7 day rolling average- parked around April 25 uptick today
-Hospitalizations- peak April 24, on a decline now
-92,000 unemployment checks went out in Arkansas this week

The Arkansas Department of Health has made modifications to some directives- Large Indoor Venue and Large Outdoor Venues
Currently outdoor- limited to 50, on the 18 will allow up to 1/3 capacity, if that’s over 50 then 1/3 will require a plan to be approved by the Department of Health

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/8/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZFFY7ue0y0

***Please note- City of Siloam Springs staff is working on a plan to reopen the Family Aquatic Center and the water feature at Memorial Park. While the pool normally opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, we will not be open at that time. We will update the public once a plan and timeline for opening is complete. ***

- 3,665 yesterday, up 82 to 3,747 cases
-12 new cases were in correctional facilities, 70 are community cases
-691 are active, 131 in correctional facilities and 89 in nursing homes, 471 active “community cases”
-2968 who have recovered
-Hospitalizations have decline from 70 to 64
-Deaths at 88 have remained the same
-2355 tested in the last 24 hours
-7 day rolling average has had a slight uptick, but still on a downward slide
-Active cases- on the decline from the peak around April 27
-Positivity remains under 5%
-Goal of testing 60,000 in May, which equates to 2% of the population

-Pools, splash pads, water parks and swim beaches effective May 22
-***Please note- City of Siloam Springs staff is working on a plan to reopen the Family Aquatic Center and the water feature at Memorial Park. While the pool normally opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, we will not be open at that time. We will update the public once a plan and timeline for opening is complete. ***
-No entry if fever, symptoms or contact with positive patient
-50% capacity
-6-foot physical distancing in all areas
-If needed, fewer entrances so overcrowding can be controlled
-Markings to note distancing at slides, diving boards, anywhere with line
-Disinfect high touch areas frequently
-Tables, chairs moved 6 feet apart, family groups can sit together
-Maintain pool chemistry with twice daily pH testing
-Lifeguard training can begin today

-On Monday, May 11. State will be going to the next stage of elective surgeries. Included are overnight stays up to 48 hours

-Arkansas Ready for Business website
-https://arkansasready.com/
-Steuart Walton chairman
-Industry specific and institution specific information to reopen the economy and business
-Still are in Phase One. Please continue to wear masks and socially distance.

Governor Hutchinson Daily Press COVID-19 Press Conference 5/7/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuJZD_KtYMk

-First time Governor Hutchinson’s been out of Little Rock in the last 50 days. Reporting from Texarkana
-Yesterday 3,568 cases, today up 97 to 3,665 cases
-30 were correction facility related, the other 67 are community cases
-710 active cases; 2,867 have recovered
-Up 1 to 70 hospitalizations
-Up 3 deaths to 88
-Continuing to test COVID cases. Have gone up from about 1,000 to 1,500 daily tests. Yesterday announced a goal to test 60,000 cases in State of Arkansas. Yesterday tested 2,174 (highest test numbers yet)
-Positivity rate is still low
-Last two days have had an uptick of positive cases. Still a low daily number.

-In Phase 1 of Reopening. Need to not have a resurgence in order to move to Phase II.

-May 18- working to provide new guidance for casinos to renew limited operations at 1/3 capacity. Dr. Smith will be releasing the guidance.

-Decision on recreational team sports in late May

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/6/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I87nVE1PqPU

-3,496 yesterday, additional 72 cases for a total of 3,568 cases
-20 new cases from correctional facilities, 52 community cases
-1,374 are active cases, 2109 recovered
-89 hospitalizations to 69
-Two additional deaths to 85 (one was Cummins inmate- 6 deaths from Cummins unit total)
-33 total nursing home deaths
-Testing around 1500 or more tests each day as of late
-We will get 90,000 kits and swabs for testing from the Federal Government in May
-This will increase testing capabilities
-Goal of 60,000 tests in May
-Executive Order yesterday for the oil and gas companies in S. Arkansas
-Discussing reopening dental offices, working on an order to see patients in a non-urgent manner
-3.2% cases in age group 0-17, 8.3% cases in 18-24 age group, 38% (largest group) 25-44 age range, 33.6% cases in age group 45-64, 16.9% cases age group 65 and older.
-If you have symptoms, regardless of age you should be tested.


Steuart Walton
-Economic Re-Opening Task Force launching a website this Friday
-Will provide a consolidated place to find guidelines for businesses

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/5/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyz3BrCU6_Y

-3,485, additional 38 cases to 3,496 cases (4 in correctional facilities)

-1,364 active cases

-2,050 recovered, increase of 34 from yesterday

-89 hospitalizations, down 2

-83 deaths to date, 2 new

-1,270 tests

-Still on the right trajectory of number of new cases

-Seven day rolling average of cases also on the right trajectory

-45 nursing home facilities, 261 resident cases, 148 nursing home staff

-Will be working on the directives for recreational pools



Correctional Facilities:

-Cummins- 876 inmates who have tested positive

-Forrest City Correctional Institute- 264 inmates who have tested positive (92 from yesterday, but are not in above reported numbers)

-Numbers will go up over the next days



Recreational Travel Restrictions:

-Restriction for recreational travelers for out of state being lifted.

-People can visit/residents can visit from/to non-hotspot states across the country: NY, New Orleans, NJ and CT. The Director of Arkansas Department of Health can reestablish those hot spots and restrictions based on development.

-If you return from a hot spot you are expected to self-quarantine for 14 days.

-This will allow hotels and lodges to come to Arkansas by neighboring states.



Governor Remarks:

-Yesterday had monthly revenue report- down 28.3% from this time a year ago. We able to revise the forecast to reflect downturn in revenue. Our economy has not taken a nosedive as it has in other states. Signed a proclamation- the new Executive Order that extends the emergency for another 45 days

-Previous executive orders are reaffirmed through the proclamation

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/4/2020

-3,431 yesterday, increase of 27 for a total 3,458 of those 1362 are active cases
-Of the 27 new cases, 14 were in correctional institutions, only 13 community cases
-From 98, down 7 to 91 hospitalizations
-Up to 81 deaths, 5 new deaths
-5 deaths in Cummins correctional unit
-2,016 recovered
-1629 tests, only 27 positives. Very low positivity rate.
-873 cases in Cummins
-172 at the Federal Correctional Institute in Forrest City
-45 nursing homes with cases
-31 deaths in residents of nursing homes
-245 nursing home resident cases, 147 nursing home staff infected


Places of Worship Guidance- Effective today, May 4, 2020
-Online platforms strongly encouraged
-Signs advise no entry if recent fever, symptoms, or contact with positive patient
-6-foot physical distancing except for family groups
-Face coverings worn at all times by anyone over 10 years old
-Worship leaders addressing congregation and performing singers may take off face make
-12-foot physical distance required at these times
-Hand sanitizing stations at entrances
-Meet and greet times moved outside as possible
-Refreshments offered outdoors only
-Lines for entry/exit monitored for distancing
-No physical contact
-Eliminate use of items touched by multiple people, like collection plate/shared books
-Refrain from having people come forward to common altar tail for Holy Communion, blessing, etc.
-No classes for youth or childcare
-Sanitize common areas


Large Outdoor Venues Directive- Effective May 4, 2020
-Examples: arenas, sports venues, race tracks, stadiums, amusement centers, fairgrounds
-12-foot distance between performers and audience
-50 or fewer performers/players/contestants
-Audience of 50 or fewer people
-6-foot distancing in seating, except for family groups
-Lines marked/monitored for distancing
-Every other row should be unoccupied
-Face coverings required for anyone over 10 years old
-If 12-foot distancing maintained from all others, no face covering required for performer/player/contestant
-Signs should advise no entry if any symptoms or contact with positive patient
-Hand sanitizer stations at all entrances/exits
-Refreshments allowed, but no self-service
-Facility included seating cleaning before/after each use



Large Indoor Venues Directive- Effective May 18, 2020
-Examples: auditoriums, lecture halls, movie theaters, museums, areas, sports venues, race tracks, funeral homes, bowling alleys
-12-foot distance between performers and audience
-50 or fewer performers/players/contestants
-Audience of 50 or fewer people
-6-foot distancing in seating, except for family groups
-Lines marked/monitored for distancing
-Every other row should be unoccupied
-Face coverings required for anyone over 10 years old
-If 12-foot distancing maintained from all others, no face covering required for performer/player/contestant
-Signs should advise no entry if any symptoms or contact with positive patient
-Hand sanitizer stations at all entrances/exits
-Refreshments allowed, but no self-service
-Facility included seating cleaning before/after each use
-Does not include casinos


Arkansas Ready for Business Grant Program:
-$55 Million grant program open to all industry sectors at www.ArkansasEDC.com/COVID19
-$1k per full time employee, $100k cap per company
->15% for women and minority owned businesses and >75% for businesses with 50 or fewer employees
-Existing applications remain in consideration; website re-opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5
-Simple application process: driver’s license, singed W-9, and certificate of good standing
-Application website will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 to review submissions

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 5/2/2020
-3,321 yesterday; today up 51 to 3,372; of those 4 were in the correctional institute
-1,312 active cases
-1987 recovered, up 14 since yesterday
-20 on a ventilator
-Hospitalizations increased by 5, up to 100
-Increase of 9 deaths, to 73, (2 of those in Dept of Corrections), (3 were nursing home deaths that were reclassified)
-Did 1,521 tests yesterday
-Prison system- numbers in Arkansas Prison system has decreased by 380 since the health emergency began.
-Downward trajectory of new cases.
-Percentage of positive tests by dates-
-Positivity case has gone down to around 4%
-12 days of decline in positivity rate
-Now have PPE decontamination equipment, can decontaminate up to 80,000 masks a day


-Governor encourages people to still wear masks in public and utilize social distancing. Remember the 6-foot physical distancing, frequent hand washing, hand sanitizer, be careful what you touch.

-May 4- some of the restrictions are going to start- the State is using a very careful approach and phasing it in.
-Monday, May 4 will bring an announcement in houses or worship and larger venues
-Coronavirus is likely to be with us this fall
-We continue to increase capability for contact tracing and Department of Health employees
-State is working to be prepared if we have a long struggle with COVID-19
-Barber and beauty schools can start up on May 6 IF they meet the requirements of the directive to lift restrictions
-Secretary AJ Gary- Director & State Homeland Security Advisor: been a difficult challenge to get PPE for all of our health care workers and first responders
-Working with hospitals, clinics, etc. to get our supply of PPE built up.
-Will push out list of vendors where people can get masks through chambers and local government

Governor Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 4/30/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6dby_zfIOY
Yesterday 3,192; today up 63 to 3,255 total cases
1,888 are active cases
1,305 recovered- up 56 from yesterday
Up 2 to 95 hospitalizations
Up 2 deaths to 61
2520 tested performed yesterday statewide
1.5% positivity rate on 4/29/2020
23 on a ventilator
22 of total deaths are associated with nursing homes
Benton County- 101 cases to date, 0 deaths, 65 recoveries
Washington County- 86 cases, 3 deaths, 42 recoveries
No new cases at Cummins, 13 from Cummins unit hospitalized

Lifting restrictions:
May 4- will lift restrictions on gyms, fitness centers and indoor athletic facilities
Screening for staff and patrons
No entry for:
Recent travelers to NY, NJ, CT, New Orleans, overseas
Those with fever, symptoms, recent contact with COVID-19 patient
Anyone with compromised immune system 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 and during training sessions, classes
No personal contact


Not ready to reengage team sports- teen and youth sports- we'll look at that in late May

Social restrictions are in place- even though some restrictions are being lifted. We still want to maintain downward curve and reduce the spread in Arkansas. Still use social distancing. Things are not back to normal- still should wear face masks.

Governor Hutchinson Daily COVID-19 Press Conference 04/29/2020

3,111 cases yesterday up 81 to 3,192 cases today
1884 active cases, a decrease of 29 from yesterday
Added Montgomery County
Hospitalizations down 11 from 104 to 93
18 currently on ventilator, down 2
7 additional deaths, up to 59 total (1/3 of deaths have been those residing in nursing homes)
1249 who have recovered, increase of 103 yesterday
More recovered yesterday than new cases
Contact tracing- currently 194 people working on case investigations
No new cases in Cummins or additional correctional institutions- all new cases are from “the community”
Hope the peak was April 25, see the trend line going down
Hospitalizations are also on the downward trend


Restaurants will be open for limited dine in service
Phase one- May 11
Resuming dine-in operations: Phase One May 11
Physical distancing between patrons and tables
Reservations encouraged
Face covering
Gloves for staff
Daily staff screenings
Frequent handwashing
Pre-order when possible
No groups over 10 people
Senior hour encouraged
No self-service
Clean, disinfect tables, menus after each meal
Bars and restaurants within restaurants prohibited

Next phases:
Timeline will be based on data
Phase Two: increase capacity to 67% while maintaining physical distance
Phase Three: return to normal operations

Arkansas Ready for Business Grant Program- $15M to assist companies with the restart phase and to build consumer confidence.
Grant to offset expenses associated with ensuring the health and safety of employees and patrons
Eligible expenses include 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 per fulltime employee, up to $100,000 per company
Employee headcount and eligible expenses backdated to March 1,
Applications will be accepted at www.ArkansasEDC.com/COVID19

Steuart Walton- some things will take longer to open up and get “back to normal”. The complexity involved in reopening an economy is profound. Task force is being as specific as possible to each industry and business.

Governor Hutchinson 4/28/2020 Daily COVID-19 update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXud-aPB3mE
3,017 cases yesterday, up 94 today to 3,111
20 in Cummins, 74 in the community
3111 total cases
Active cases 1913, actually a decrease of 67 since yesterday
Down 5 to 104 hospitalizations
20 on a ventilator
52 deaths, up 2
1,146 recovered
159 recovered in the last 24 hours
Recovered is more than new cases- actual cases going down
30 plasma donors, 13 have received plasma from the donors
In May we will reach the 2% testing threshold
White House will help meet the testing threshold with additional testing material
We are watching the testing capability, make sure we can do the contact testing, trace any flare ups, watching community spread
Cummins unit- 860 inmates infected, 51 staff
Forrest City- 87 inmates, 12 staff infected
208 nursing home patients that have been infected
115 staff from nursing homes


LIFTING RESTRICTIONS:

ARKANSAS STATE PARKS for Phase One Reopening:
Target date: May 1: Camping for in-state resident RVs only.
Open to Arkansas residents with self-contained RVs.
Contactless check-in/check-out

Target date May 15- Visitor Information Centers, Retail and Exhibits:
Open the following to limited capacity 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

Target date May 15: Cabins, Lodges and Rent-A-RV
Reservations limited to Friday through Monday only to allow for cleaning, In-state residents only

Governor Press Conference- COVID-19 Update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MztbJoo4Z0I
Yesterday 2,941, today 76 new to a total of 3,017
1.8% positivity rate yesterday
Total tests 40,074 in Arkansas to date
60 were from community and 16 were from Cummins
316 are healthcare workers, 13 more than yesterday
203 in nursing homes
115 staff at nursing homes
Cummins- total of 856 cases, 50 staff
109 hospitalizations- net gain of 2
25 currently on ventilator
1 new death, total of 50

Results of the Two-Day Testing Surge Campaign-
Increased testing to over 1500 tests on 4/25 and 4/26- met our goal

Gating criteria that we are to satisfy before we look toward opening
Opening Up America Gating-
On a downward trajectory with new cases
In terms of the gating criteria that the White House has given us it’s looking positive in terms of the trends here in Arkansas.







We have not been on a downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period- BUT we have some flexibility. Our positivity rate is on the downward trend.

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 Daily Update 04/25/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82H2ZDt10SQ
2741 cases yesterday, additional 89
47 of the 84 cases in Cummins, 42 from the community
2830 total cases
1813 are active cases
22 on ventilators
970 who have recovered
194 in nursing homes, 109 nursing home staff, 37 nursing homes with investigations
826 inmates tested positive in Cummins
104 hospitalizations yesterday, 104 again today
46 deaths yesterday, added 3, 49 deaths today
100 something hospitalization as opposed to the predicted 2,000 hospitalizations during our projected peak
Increases in testing during the two-day surge test campaign
Numbers from testing surge- we won’t see for a few days
Yesterday 1,003 reports, positivity was 4.2%

Governor Hutchinson- knows everyone is ready to be normal and we’re not there yet, but we are looking at lifting some restrictions and still diminish the spread of the virus

Secretary of Education- John Key
There will be no traditional graduations before July 1
In some communities high school graduation is one of the biggest events of the year, we cannot mitigate
Do not plan traditional graduations prior to July 1. We will adjust the date if needed based on recommendations of Health Department
Encourage schools to explore other ways to celebrate seniors
Will accept proposals from schools this week on planning these nontraditional graduations
Encourage school districts to wait until after July 1.

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 Press Conference 4/23/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q334YKr9h3M

Data/ information from Gov. Hutchinson:
2276 yesterday, increase of 189 cases 2465 COVID-19 cases
Of the 189, 122 are from Cummins maximum security unit
67 new
101 hospitalizations
45 deaths, 3 new
7-day rolling average of the new cases in Arkansas that exclude the correctional facilities, trending upwards just a bit.
Gov Advisors’ Group on Testing- initial report has been given to the Governor- shows that we are increasing testing capability
Some days had over 1600 tests
Has since declined from that peak, now are around 1000 tests a day

Recommendations from Gov Advisors’ Group on Testing:
Expand PCR testing for all patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and those with a history of potential exposure
Expand PCR testing for contact investigations (currently testing only those who are symptomatic).
Screen for COVID-19 in high-risk settings (already being done for testing those coming into hospitals for elective procedures). (maybe include long term care centers)
Develop a strategy for statewide serosurveillance (antibody testing)

Two-day Arkansas Surge Campaign- If you think you have symptoms, don’t wait- get tested!
Coupled with advertising campaign
We have an inventory of tests.
From 1,000 to 1500 tests each day over the next two days.
Arkansas Surge Campaign- If you think you have symptoms, don’t wait- get tested!

Dr. Smith, Department of Health
189 new cases
122 are inmates in Cummins
67 are community, but that also includes some staff from Cummins
687 inmates at Cummins tested positive
35 staff at Cummins tested positive
Almost done with testing inmates and additional staff at Cummins
101 currently hospitalized, net gain of 4
24 on ventilator
45 deaths
174 nursing home residents who has tested positive
902 who have recovered, 39 more than yesterday

Chancellor Cam Patterson, UAMS
UAMS has screened about 15,000 individuals
Tested 4,129 individuals
Are committed to the two-day surge to increase COVID-19 testing
Serologic screening will determine the probability that you have been infected in the past
Our current nose swab is to determine if you have an active case


Questions:
If they want a test, they get a test, period. Even if they don’t have insurance. If you do have insurance, insurance will get charged.
There are a variety of federal testing sources that will pay for someone to get a test if they don’t have insurance.
UAMS testing sites are not even asking for payment or proof of insurance

Governor Hutchinson COVID-19 daily press conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8GFXc1uI10
Data/information from Gov Hutchinson:
As a State we are addressing continuing health and economic needs in Arkansas
2227 cases yesterday 2276 cases today
49 new cases
97 hospitalizations
42 deaths (43 yesterday, a Missouri resident counted yesterday)
April 20- huge spike in new cases- Cummins Prison (over 300 cases that day)
Trendline continues down for new cases of those not in a congregate setting
Important announcements:
Indicated that May 4 was the TARGET DATE for lifting some restrictions if we need some needed goals
Elective procedures restriction is being lifted effective April 27 (earlier than expected) but with our number of hospitalizations and limited spread we feel comfortable putting thing into place
Hospitals will have requirements to meet in order to do these procedures

TIMELINE for future decisions that lead up to May 4:
May 4 is the TARGET for Arkansas to lift some restrictions if we continue to make progress on reducing community spread of COVID-19.
The below decision announcements will indicate whether a May 4 opening will be allowed and any applicable restrictive guidelines.
April 29: announcement on restaurant decision
April 30: announcement on gyms decision
May 1: beauty and barber salons decision
May 4: Places of worship and larger venues


Dr. Smith- Dpt. of Health
Continue to use a data driven approach
Directive: elective procedures- still finalizing some language. Will not be effective until Monday. Will start will day surgery, healthy patients- cannot have any symptoms. Encourage hospitals to start slow, ensure they have enough supplies of PPE
Will have to test these patients of COVID-19 within 48 hours
2276 total cases- 1,371 active cases
23 on ventilator
863 recovered, up 54 from yesterday
262 health care workers, 148 have recovered
Increase of cases associated with nursing homes
170 cases in nursing homes, 31 facilities
681 inmates in Cummins Prison, 14 staff
Decided to test additional barracks. Could have additional cases added to total and testing additional staff
Providing guidance to bring back different areas, will do it in a way that is thoughtful, careful and done in time with what we’re seeing in our numbers.
Continue to practice physical distancing and measures which have helped up get to where we are.

Gov Hutchinson:
Economic task force led by Steuart Walton
Has been in coordination with neighboring governors, but will act independently based on our data
In Phase 1 we are still discouraging discretionary travel
National capacity for testing is increasing, turnaround time has become more effective
Larger venues are going to be a future decision- not a phase 1 decision
Guidelines in place that apply to places of worship including not gatherings of 10 or more.

Zoom Board Meeting Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m.
Siloam Springs Mayor John Mark Turner reminds you that the April 21 meeting of the Board of Directors will take place in a virtual setting, via Zoom Video Conferencing. Using Zoom Video Conferencing, residents will be able to join the meeting online or by phone and will be able to provide comments that will be part on the record. In-lieu of participating in the meeting via Zoom, residents who wish to provide comments as part of the regularly scheduled public input portion of the meeting, or on a particular agenda item, may email comments to the City Clerk, a minimum of 1-hour in advance of the workshop (no later than 4:30 p.m.), to have your comments read into the record. Please provide the agenda item number/letter when emailing. If your comments are meant for general public input, please state that. You may email your comments to cityadmin@siloamsprings.com or rellis@siloamsprings.com
If a resident wishes to participate in the Board meeting via Zoom, please follow these directions.
Zoom online meeting instructions for the public (attendees):
Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 6:30 pm Board of Directors meeting
Join Zoom meeting via the Zoom video conferencing website or app (pc/Mac; iOS Android):
Via the Internet:
Website: https://zoom.us/j/95242340176, meeting ID: 952-4234-0176
If you are joining the meeting via pc/Mac or mobile device, please use your full name as your screen name.
Via Phone:
Dial in with telephone (toll free): +1 669-900-9128.
You will be prompted to enter the meeting id#
Meeting ID: 952-4234-0176
When prompted for a participant or attendee number, press #.
The following commands can be entered using your phone’s dial pad while in a Zoom meeting:
*6 - toggle mute/unmute
*9 - raise hand
*attendees utilizing the “dial in with telephone” feature will have their telephone number masked. example: 1-479-****-777
All Zoom attendees will need to utilize the “raise their hand” function in the zoom meeting to be recognized when the public is asked if anyone wishes to speak.
The moderator will unmute attendees when the forum is open for public commentary.
All attendees will be muted automatically upon joining the meeting.

Governor Hutchinson Press Conference 4/18/2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WD3LWo5R0

COVID-19 Governor Hutchinson-

Thank you to the EMT workers and ambulance drivers across the state.

Case update

1695 yesterday, 1739 cases, up 44 (not counting Cummins)

86 hospitalizations

38 deaths

Sec of Commerce and the Economic Development team working with rural hospitals- $10M distributed to 27 different rural hospitals in Arkansas. Will received the grants. $250k--$500k

UAMS will receive $500k for support of telemedicine

Quick response testing unit- have 80 around the state that can give results in 15 minutes

Dr. Dillehey- Dpt. of Health

1739 cases, 44 new cases

989 active cases

703 recoveries, 110 more than yesterday

1 death, over 65

86 hospitalizations, 7 less than yesterday

291 hospitalizations to date

Currently 22 on ventilator

46-64 age group is most affected

Continued use of masks and increased handwashing

Cummins- 230 inmates, no positive staff- specialists visited yesterday to assess the situation. Warden is following the guidelines, provided a few extra recommendations. Learned inmates are all wearing masks, have made 32,000 masks



Cam Patterson, UAMS

Expansion of testing throughout the State

Some communities don’t have the ability to do drive through testing. To meet the need for those communities UAMS now have a mobile unit. It is going to communities who have asked for assistance.

Visited Texarkana and completed testing; also visited Forrest City this week. Screened 430 individuals. 183 tested, only 1 positive case

Visiting Mariana, Camden and McGee next week.



Gov Hutchinson Important Announcement: Creation of Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force

Report from Medical Advisory committee to look at criteria as we move to lift some of the restrictions on the economy.

We want to reopen and lift some restrictions- goal is May 4.

Executive Reorder- Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force

Steuart Walton is chairman of the taskforce, 26-27 representatives of different fields in the economy, outdoor, sports, small businessperson, retail associations, etc.

3 cabinet secretaries; Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston, Secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Stacy Hurst.

Task force will meet in industry groups- and allow to expand but do so in a way with public health requirements.

Task force will be making recommendations to Gov Hutchinson and to their industry groups and comply with public health directives.



Continue to take care and not contribute to the spread, continue to socially distance and wear masks.

Governor Press Conference 4/17/2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcyyCs8y_aQ

Case report/information:

1620 yesterday, 1695 today

37 deaths, no new

93 hospitalizations

Infection rate- positive cases as a percentage of tests performed- Arkansas around 8% positive rate

Gating criteria- President laid out phases, but states have been given the flexibility to adjust

Phase One- we will adjust so we can start lifting some restrictions. But we have not reached that phase yet.

Dr. Smith-

75 new cases today

1065 active cases

14 newly hospitalized, 6 discharged

23 on a ventilator

593 recovered, 45 more than yesterday

228 health care workers infected, 5 more than yesterday

116 in nursing homes, decrease of 2 because of false positives Forrest City Fed Correctional Institute- 57 total inmates, total of 62 because of staff and contractors

Little Rock Community Corrections, total of 62 inmates, 27 staff

Cummins- 83 new positive cases, total of 129 (increased testing capabilities)



Medical Advisory Committee For Post Peak-

4 priorities for Arkansas:

1. Restoring AR economy in a timely fashion

2. Protecting our most vulnerable

3. Maintaining adequate health care and public health capacity

4. Preventing resurgence of COVID in our communities

Will use the “Opening up America” guidelines but will adjust some for Arkansas

Should see a downward trend by early May

Can offer testing to all symptomatic persons

We should be able to meet the foreseeable needs with hospital bed and ventilators

Keep the behavioral changes that got us to this point

Social distancing

Cloth masks in public

Handwashing

No groups greater than 10

Businesses can start to prepare on how to reopen when we do get to phase one

We can release the Targeted directives we can deescalated them as needed- still data driven

Will have a Statewide plan that looks at regional differences in our State

Draw motivation from those we need to protect- those vulnerable populations in our families and social circles



Governor Hutchinson:

Objective is May 4 to begin lifting some restrictions in place

We have to be able to manage the spread to make sure it continues to reduce

Wear your mask when you’re out in public and you can’t socially distance



Need to continue to build up our capacity for contact tracing for every positive case- have gone from 3 nurses to 150 nurses to do contact tracing

May 2 is peak prediction right now, hope that peak comes earlier, but also have to measure our peak with some of our bursts in congregate settings

Dr Smith- we won’t really know the peak until we’re far past it because it’s so gradual. We’ll use our data specifically without the prison outbreaks since they distort the “main data”.

Governor Press Conference 04/16/2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qCxE1gCblM

Information from Governor Hutchinson

1569 yesterday, today 1620

85 hospitalization, increase of 2

4 deaths, 37 deaths

Continuing to go down in the number of new COVID-19 cases per day

Plateau state in hospitalizations

COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus, that we have to be on guard against.

It is a deadly virus that has serious health outcomes

Will meet with Medical Advisory Board tomorrow- will advise to the criteria we will look for post peak from a public health standpoint

Will be on a call with President and other Governors at 2:00 today

First part public health, second part economic crisis

Unemployment claims- 136,000 through April 11, an additional 14,000 since then



Dr. Smith case information and statistics

1620 total cases

1035 active cases

5 new hospitalized, 3 who left the hospital

21 on a ventilator

37 total deaths

548 recovered, 59 more than yesterday

223 health care workers who have been infected, 81 have recovered

118 cases in nursing home residents, up 15 since yesterday

28 nursing homes affected

Forrest City- 46 inmates, 9 staff and contractors

Cummins State Prison unit- 46 inmates, no staff positive

Little Rock Community Corrections- 27 staff, 59 inmates

Some good trends in the way our total cases are going, staying steady with hospitalizations. Too early for a victory lap but will plan ahead for after the peak



Secretary Preston- Arkansas Department of Labor

Working hard to process unemployment claims

ARunemployment.com will have data and information on processes

Extended hours of the hotline

Email alert system for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance -you will get updates about the program and when you are able to file for it. https://arkansasdws.formstack.com/forms/pua_information

SBA loans- $250 Billion 14,803 businesses approved for payroll protection plan

Governor Press Conference 4/14/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Oh_wIRxhY

COVID-19 Daily Update

1410 yesterday, 1498 today (88 new cases)

1024 active cases

29 on ventilators

444 recovered (53 more than yesterday)

65 health care workers who have recovered. 206 health care workers have had COVID-19

93 nursing home residents infected, 71 workers, 6 deaths total

28 active contact investigations in nursing homes in the state

2 additional deaths, 32 total

81 hospitalizations

Cummings Prison- no new positive cases, tested all in one barrack, have continued to test- no new positives

Fed Correctional Institute in Forrest City- the medical team of bureau prisons and CDC are dealing with FCI in Forrest City

Big spike yesterday due to prison population testing and positive cases

Number of hospitalizations- at 81 now, hoping for a plateau- a statistic that is constant and measurable. Currently seeing a plateau

Comparing with other states: Positives per 100,000- we are 49 positives per 100,000 (April 14 dated)

Test per 10,000- Arkansas is higher than mid-range for testing per 10,000. Started at 30, has increased to 69 tests per 10,000. (April 14)

Total deaths to date- Arkansas is very low (April 14) per 100,000, at .99% deaths per 100,000

Travel among interstates have decrease 55%

Message Boards on highways and on borders:

Mobile Message Boards: “No Rec Lodging for out of State Traveler”

Permanent Message Boards: “Out of State Rec Lodging Prohibited”



We will make decisions based on the best public health advice balanced with the essential needs of our society to move and make a living. This is not a 30-day battle or a 60-day fight, but it will continue for some time into the future.

Medical plan will help reduce the executive orders, but it will be from a health care prospective.

We will do what is needed for the best interests of Arkansans.

Exec Order: they can file workers comp if there’s a causal relationship with catching COVID-19 with their job. (please see Executive Order for specific verbiage and details)

Liability immunity- for medical emergency responders- physicians, PA, NPs, RNs, more- so they can work in this emergency environment without fear of litigation. (please see Executive Order for specific verbiage and details)

Prisons: federal and state prisoner positives make up 10% of our COVID-19 cases in Arkansas.

Contact investigation has gone from 3 nurses to nearly 150 who are doing contact investigation.

Dexter Payne- Division of Corrections has taken many steps to stop the spread in facilities. Visitation suspension through June 1 (at this time). Video visitation cost has been reduced, as well as cost of phone calls. Moving one barrack at a time- to dining hall, yard time, etc.

Governor Press Conference 4/13/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j6mySKOsRA

Yesterday 1280, today 1410 cases

74 hospitalized

30 deaths



Have had an outbreak in the Forrest City Federal Correctional Institute

Now is State Prison, in Cummins Maximum One barrack has tested 43 out of 46 have tested positive in one set of barracks

Restriction on visitors continues to be in place

Active cases verse total cases: number of positives1410 minus approximately 190 recovered Active Positive Cases- just under 1000

Peak was supposed to be April 24, but is now forecast for April 29

Wear face masks when you cannot social distant. This is not a time to let up on this.

We must continue to avoid large gatherings, wear masks and continue to socially distant.



Governor has announced a Medical Advisory Board- for COVID-19 Post Peak

Will look ahead when we are looking at the peak and on that downward slope.

Will discuss opening up and give us guidance on how to do so

What should be the criteria to keep up on the downslope and avoid peaks later in the year.

What do we need to do to not see a resurgence?

Dr. Smith:

130 news cases (single largest in 24-hour time period)

67 new positives- most were from very high-risk settings

Little Rock Community Corrections- 27 staff positive, 5 of 15 inmates test positive

Forrest City- 46 inmates, 8 staff, 1 contractor, CDC will be taking lead since it’s a Federal institute

24 total positive in a drug rehab center in Central Ark.

1410 total, 980 active cases

Jackson county

74 hospitalized

8 new hospitalized

28 on ventilator

30 deaths

193 health care workers, 58 of whom have recovered

Summer camps probably won't happen- it's a highly congregate setting with people from all over the country. There will be some guidance on summer camps being sent out.

Average hospital stay around 6 days (this is not conclusive data and only an estimate)

A special announcement from the City of Siloam Springs:

All previously directed public facility closures and restrictions on public access to city facilities are hereby extended through May 15th.
Beginning April 13th through June 11th, the 3% fee charged by the City to residents paying bills with credit cards is suspended. The City will continue to not charge late fees on utility bills and will continue to not shut off utilities. These both have been extended through May 15th.

For City staff:
All expenses related to travel and training, except that required by law or that is essential for maintaining licensure, is suspended until further notice.
All hiring for unfilled positions is suspended until further notice.
All non-essential purchases are suspended until further notice.

Governor Press Conference 4/10/2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2v1SIesdyc
Governor Press Conference 4/10/2020 COVID-19 Update

Yesterday 1094, today 1171 cases in Arkansas

86 hospitalized

23 deaths, increase of 2

Presented a chart two weeks ago that we would have 3500 actual cases. Shows where we are today- 1100 vs 3500.

Expected vs actual hospital bead use- projected was 200+ and we are at 86 in hospitalization rate. There’s not a large escalation of those.

Dr. Smith and Governor Hutchinson had a conversation with Dr. Fauci. They briefed him and got his comments on where we are going

Said Dr. Fauci gave his stamp of approval



Dr. Smith data/comments:

Graph that is showing number of new cases each day, the number of new cases has leveled off in the 70s for the last week. This is the first graph we expect to go down as we approach our peak.

Number of new hospitalizations are also leveling off

CDC- March 31 vs. April 7. All states have increased since then, but Arkansas had a lower increase than all but 5 states.

Testing; yesterday had 1348 reports (largest number of tests to date)

40 mobile tests Texarkana yesterday, Helena today

3.6% positivity rate

77 new cases

Yesterday 1094, today 1171 cases

86 hospitalized

23 deaths, increase of 2

836 active cases (total cases, minus those who have recovered and minus those who passed away)

23 newly hospitalized, 10 were discharged

33 on ventilator

79 nursing home residents, 315 recovered

168 health care workers, 46 have recovered



Governor-

A lot of businesses are still open to make sure essential supplies and food are moving

Please continue to social distance

Encouraging churches not to meet and discouraging family gatherings



Secretary Mike Preston- Department of Labor

132,000 claims since the pandemic started

Anyone who filed in March 21 or Marsh 28 should have already received their unemployment check

Week ending April 4- funds will be in your account this coming Monday.

172 loans approved more than $3.5 Million



Dr. Rex Horne-

Spoke encouraging words about Easter.

Let’s remember even in social distancing that there is another day coming and we have good days ahead. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

We are all blessed.



Conversation with Dr. Fauci-

Governor wanted to get his guidance. Fauci looked at the data before they spoke, looked back to March 11.

Gov spoke about the targeting response, social distancing and the wearing of masks.

Fauci- Dr. What you’re doing is right and good. What we are doing is a model and right for Arkansas

Fauci asked how long the people in Arkansas could handle the length of social distancing.

The topic of a stay at home order was brought up. Fauci supported our strategy for our people in Arkansas. Governor said he was open to his guidance, but that Fauci agreed with our strategy.

Dr. Smith-

Said we have provided guidance to businesses that are open that will minimize the transmission of COVID-19

Lowest transmission rate per capita than those states around us

Spoke about how deaths are attributed.

When someone comes into the hospital with COVID19 but with an underlying health issue- are generally attributing that to COVID19

There have been no positive cases within the state correctional facilities.



Governor Hutchinson:

Commented about Seniors missing out on a lot.

We can't be hugging strangers or hugging and having close contact

Continue to practice social distancing and have the discipline to keep with that social distancing.

Governor Press Conference 4/9/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg-qMqmycAM

Governor Hutchinson:

Thank you to workers at Department of Workforce Service. Working with those who are seeking unemployment. Thank you for your work.

Spoke about cases by counties

Please continue to keep our recreational out of state travel

“Actual” versus the “expected hospitalizations” needed is much lower than expected.

Do not violate the limitations of social gathering. Continue to follow guidelines, wear your mask if you cannot social distance and if you’re out in public.

COVID-19 data- Dr. Nate Smith Director and State Health Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health

1023 yesterday, 1094 cases today

76 hospitalized yesterday, 73 hospitalized today

21 newly hospitalized, 24 have left the hospital

31 on a ventilator

21 deaths (3 more than yesterday) All 3 60+

253 have recovered, 45 more than yesterday

158 health care workers, 18 more since yesterday

841 active cases (numbers between the total cases and the amount of recovered cases)

Added Madison County

Additional Dr. Smith Information

Quarantine is someone who has not tested positive but have been exposed. Usually 14 days from last exposure. If they develop symptoms, then they need to be tested.

If exposed to someone with COVID-19, 14-day quarantine from last exposure. If develop symptoms, then they need to be tested.

CDC provided guidance for those in essential positions (health care related)

Isolation is for someone who has tested positive. Self-isolated 7 days from initial symptom and three days from the last fever. Must be fever free for three days.

For those coming from other states and other countries, please self-quarantine.

Plasma donations from those who have recovered are supposed to begin today. We believe those antibodies will help those who are severely ill.



Dr. Richard Smith Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Director of UAMS’ Psychiatric Research Institute

Be mindful of your mental health.

This type of emergency for those who have – not the time to stop treatment, please call your support through these difficult times. Most providers have services for their existing patients in some form. Reach out to others safely during these difficult times.

Paula Stone, Deputy Director at Department of Human Services

Every Arkansans has access to a mental health service

DHS mental health line: 844-763-0198 Monday- Friday 8am-4:30 pm

Will help with a list of providers, schedule assessment, almost all are able to provide services via telemedicine.

Crisis Intervention services are available as well



Governor Hutchinson additional comments:

What criteria will need to be reached before we start opening business?

Developing that criteria right now.

Must see the data of the peak and then we can make more concrete plans

Governor Hutchinson thinks we are going to open quicker but cannot give a specific date.

Beginning April 13 through June 11, the 3% fee charged by the City to residents paying bills with credit cards is suspended. The City will continue to not charge late fees on utility bills and will continue to not shut off utilities. These both have been extended through May 15th.

Governor Press Conference 4/8/2020

Data and case numbers-

1023 cases today

Added Franklin County

76 hospitalized (two more than yesterday)

68 in nursing homes (7 more than yesterday)

30 on ventilators (4 more than yesterday)

147 positive health care workers (13 more than yesterday)

208 classified as recovered (56 more than yesterday)

18 deaths (same) 3 from Northwest Arkansas

814 reports yesterday (testing)

Total 6.6% positivity rate from 4/7/2020

14225 tests to date in the State

Secretary Preston-

3 Million from Economic Development Commission for the short-term bridge loan program. This loan helps the small businessperson to meet needs. Governor Hutchinson has released an additional $1 for bridge loans.

Unemployment insurance claims- 110,000 applications since the pandemic began. Likely 150,000 application at the end of the week.

Please do not go into the Unemployment Office, do this via the phone or online.

https://www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov/

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance- (those independent contractors, freelancers, self-employed) received guidance Sunday night from the Federal Government. We will have to build a new system because of the information needed. Looking at a 3-week time frame to build out the system and process the claims. Will be able to back date those claims once we can process them.



Dr. Smith-

Federal Correction Insititute- no new positive tests, although new people with symptoms. CDC team in place and gathering data and information.

Family gatherings during normal times can now be dangerous.

4 weeks since our first case

Practice self-care and think about your mental health.

Want to continue testing people within priority groups. As the capability increases, it would be helpful to begin testing those who have symptoms but don’t have an underlying health condition or are part of a vulnerable population

Ideally, we would like everyone to be able to know their status, but we’re not there yet.

We don’t know if hydroxychloroquine is effective in fighting COVID-19



Governor Hutchinson discusses State of the State and funding:

Public education will be full funded

Public safety will be fully funded

Medicaid will be full funded

Essential services will be met during this time

Tightening of the belt in state government

Grant funds might not be as available

Shared burden among state agencies and hope to minimize the public sphere impact

Need for a discretionary fund to fill the holes

Governor Press Conference 4/7/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0P0HXEp98A

Special thanks to the childcare workers who are taking a special effort to provide childcare for those who are in essential services, health care and others.

Data/Case numbers:

875 yesterday, today 946 cases
Logan County and Clay County added
134 health care workers have tested positive
61 nursing home residents
74 currently hospitalized
148 who have ever been hospitalized
18 deaths (two additional deaths, both of whom were over 65)
152 recovered
Completed over 24 hours over 1400 tests in Arkansas. Largest testing in 24 hours to date.
Results from 1436 tests 1.6% positivity
Federal Correctional Institution in Forrest City- 24 inmates positive, 5 staff. CDC team expected to arrive this evening.

Should be an encouragement that our targeted approach is working. Social distancing, wearing a mask, no gatherings more than 10 is working.

We will get 500 quick tests from Abbott Labs for healthcare workers.


Executive Order does give the cities the flexibility to deal with special issues such as curfews, closing parks, etc.

If people are not following the guidelines, it can be reported to the Arkansas Health hotline


Statistics per 100,000
31.8 cases per 100,000
454.9 tests per 100,000
2.5 hospitalizations per 100,00

Governor press conference 4/6/2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS2Kb4V8U3I


Case update:

830, now 875 cases

74 hospitalizations

Added Izzard County

16 deaths

102 recovered (5 more than yesterday)

122 health care workers, 8 more than yesterday

74 hospitalized

22 on ventilators

2.3% of cases under 18, 18-24 is 6.7%, 25-44 is 30.3%, 45-65 is 34.9%, 25.7% aged 65+

Test Results from 4/5/2020

949 test results yesterday

822 from commercial lab, 4% of those tested in the commercial lab yesterday were positive.

76 tests done yesterday, 10.5% of those were positive at the Arkansas Department of Health Public Health Lab yesterday



Governor spoke of the efforts of slowing the spread in Arkansas

Social distancing is helping, but this week is critical

Follow social distancing and when you can’t wear the masks

Want to continue to slow that spread.

While cases will go up every day, we want to slow doubling time / the speed of the spread.

Another indication that our slowing the spread makes a difference

We are low compared to other states cases vs. 100,000

Without jeopardizing our population, we will send 5 ventilators to Louisiana

We have slowed the rate of growth. Hope to slow it even more.



“While we’ve had some success in slowing the spread, it’s clear that this is going to go on for some time. The remainder of this school year is going to be closed. We’re not going to allow in-school instruction, but we will continue with alternative methods of instruction through the end of this school year”, Governor Hutchinson said during this COVID-19 daily press conference.

Closed for on-site instruction but will continue alternative methods of instruction.

Will extend through AMI.

Digital learning classes will continue.

Governor Hutchinson applauds teachers and students for hanging in there. But recognize education has to continue.

http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/communications/covid-19-information

Secretary Key- Arkansas Commissioner of Education

Child nutrition services will continue as long as they can follow the CDC guidelines.

Be flexible- both districts and parents.

It is impractical to try and replicate the school environment when they are home

Focus should be on core content.

Governor Hutchinson Press Conference 4/5/2020
COVID-19 update

Speakers:
Dr. Nate Smith
Heather Larking, Executive Director of Arkansas Community Foundation
Laurie Landrow, Pres, CEO of Entergy

Numbers/Data
743 yesterday, 830 cases today (14 are in Federal correctional Insititute in Forrest City)
72 hospitalized yesterday, 67 hospitalized
Under projections-Arkansas was predicted to be at 2,000 cases, which is an indication of beating that trendline that was established weeks ago.
We are social distancing and taking measures that are important to contain the spread of this virus
No more than 10 people even with social distancing
Surgeon General pointed out that this is a critical week for our nation
Take every precaution, follow the guidelines to reduce the spread

Masks:
Use of masks- encourage people to wear a mask when you cannot practice social distance
Governor will be wearing a mask as will the Arkansas First Lady

Dr. Smith: COVID-19 numbers
830 cases, largest single day increase
Yell and Phillips counted are added. 64 total counties have reported cases.
2.4% of cases in children
18-24 ages 6.6%
25-44 ages 29.6%
45-64 34.9%
65 and older 26.4%
114 health care workers
130 to date that have been hospitalized
27 on ventilators
43 have been on to date
16 dates
97 recovered
11,488 tests done to date
Of those who have passed away, 12 have been 65+, 4 are 19-64 range
Total of 9 nursing homes where we had cases, 2 previously did and now do not

Forrest City Federal Correctional Institute
8 inmates have tested positive, 20 more with symptoms
4 staff positive, another 15 have had significant exposure
Invited team from CDC to help with this facility

Arkansans Affected Financially:
Likely 100,000 have filed unemployment because of this crisis
People are struggling financially because of the loss of jobs or businesses
There are still going to be gaps and great needs, even with assistance opportunities

Arkansas Community Foundation
As a result of the needs- the State is partnering with Arkansas Community Foundation with a COVID-19 relief fund
This is where Arkansans can contribute to help other Arkansans.
Will help Ark nonprofits serving on the frontline of this pandemic
Over $2M so far Tyson, Windgate Foundation, Walmart Foundation, many more
Arcf.org/covid19 to donate to or reach out to their favorite nonprofit and give
Will help nonprofits continue to support their clients dealing with COVID19
Helps nonprofits in all 75 counties, 28 locations in the State which help work with nonprofits all over the state

Entergy Arkansas-
Suspended disconnects for non-payments (please note Siloam Springs utility late fees and disconnects have already been suspended)
Donated $100,000 to Arkansas Community Foundation to help Arkansans

Governor Press Conference 4/4/2020

COVID19 Data

People are paying attention and doing what they need to do

It adds to the stress on our economy and business, specifically tourism

701 yesterday, 743 cases today

72 hospitalized

Over 1000 tests done in the last 24 hours

Lafayette, Dallas and Prairie Counties are all added

We are following good business practices and CDC guidelines

This is both a health crisis and an economic crisis

State bridge loan approved 80 loans over $1.7 M to small businesses across the state

First SBA loan was approved, Federal loans are starting to follow up.

Unemployment up 66,000 with 8,00 in the cue. On Wednesday the unemployment call center received 300,000 calls.

State economic assistance grants have been given to rural hospitals- $10 million

Targeted response efforts in Arkansas- we will continue to build on these as we see needs:

NEW executive order 20-13:

Applies to commercial lodgings and short-term rentals, including hotels, motels and vacation rentals. They shall only permit occupancy to the following guests: health care professionals, first responders, law enforcement, state and federal employees on official business, national guard members on active duty, airline crew members, patients of hospitals and families, journalists, persons unable to return to their home because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, Arkansas citizens in exigent circumstances, persons in need of shelter due to domestic violence or homelessness, employees of hotels/motels that need persons there, persons away from their home due to work related travel.

Recreational travelers are not permitted from out of state. This directs the travel industry not to issue occupancy to out of state recreational travelers.

We believe this will reduce the travel we have already discouraged.
Dr. Smith:

743 cases, an increase of 39

1040 reports yesterday, largest number in a single day to date

3.4% positive from yesterday

20 kids, 49 are 18-245, 210 25-44, 263 45-64, 201 65+

12 are pregnant women

106 health care workers

72 currently hospitalized, up 1 from yesterday

23 on ventilators, down 3 yesterday

61 in nursing homes, up 8 from yesterday (3 passed away)

14 total death, up 2 from yesterday, both ages 65+

Deaths: 10 were 65+, 4 were 19-64 ages

10 total nursing homes are

CDC has recommended masks for use by the public. This is recommended in public settings when it’s impossible to maintain 6-foot distancing.

Purpose of masks are limited from protecting the wearer but will catch droplets from others.

Allergy symptoms and early symptoms of COVID19 are very similar but could be producing small droplets that could be infecting other people.

Do not take away masks from health care workers

Singing can produce small droplets, a case in Washington when a choir rehearsal had an outbreak because one person was infected.

Forrest City Detention Center has reported a small number of positive- 3 inmates, 3 staff.

Businesses are supposed to follow social distancing protocols, mark off six-foot increments, contactless payment systems, disinfect high touch surfaces.

ARDOT has compared traffic patterns and highway usage, there has been a 40% reduction in travel since the emergency has come about.

Applauds Walmart, 5 customers per 1000 feet and Target for reducing customer flow.

Continue to monitor State Parks- if there is congestion and social distancing is not followed State Parks can be closed by Director Hurst as needed.

Arkansas has gotten all that we will get (PPE and COVID19 supplies) from the Federal stockpile.

Governor Hutchinson Press Conference 04/03/2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f3X9HFJIo4
Governor Press Conference 4/3/2020

COVID 19

Total 646 yesterday, up to 704 cases total 4/3/2020

Hospitalizations: 71, up 5 from yesterday

26 on ventilators, up 3

Total of 12 deaths, same as yesterday

60 that have recovered

96 of those 704 cases are healthcare workers

One new county- Monroe County

60% female, 40% male

20 kids less than 18, 197 over 65, 487 ages 18-64

Testing continues to increase in Arkansas

9,626 to date in the state. 7.3% are positive. 658 tests done yesterday

The State has received our first shipment of hospital protective gear that the State of Arkansas has procured. We have received some shipments. Will work with ADEM to distribute the PPE we have required. Have received gloves, masks and hand sanitizer. Gloves and masks are form overseas and hand sanitizer is from US.

Per Governor Hutchinson:

“Are we testing enough? Clearly we have done more than sufficient testing. It is more than sufficient to give us a good handle on where we are here in Arkansas. In every county we have had tests done. UAMS now has mobile testing to a few sites across the state that might be hard to reach with normal testing.

Social distancing is so critically important. So impressed with how businesses are taking social distancing seriously.

Individually more people need to take social distancing seriously. Every person needs to engage in social distancing and follow the best practices.”



Additional information:

Dr. Nate Smith referred to www.bewellArkansas.org for individuals to try and combat health conditions, alcohol, drug and nicotine abuse assistance

Procurement is very difficult because shipping, tracking is being overloaded worldwide.

Not everything is coming from overseas. Hand sanitizer is being made by L’Oreal. They have never made hand sanitizer, but will provide 550 gallons a week free of charge.

Testing: UAMS is overnight, Ark Dpt. Of Health is overnight, private labs have a 3-day delay

One thing we need it’s more cargo capacity. If anyone has the resources that they can divert to help us with transporting personal protective equipment from overseas, into the United States, that’s the number one thing we could use right now.

Dr. Smith- we have a good sample, so we have a good trajectory with close to 10,000 tests with the geography and the slope of that curve. Our trajectory does mirror our hospitalizations.

SBA loans- Governor knows that everyone is anxious. We are all waiting on the Federal Government for the guidance on the loans. Once that happens then the banks are ready to go. We have those bridge loans available through AEDC about a bridge loan $25,000- $250,000.

Unemployment- were we able to get the IT glitch fixed. It helped process tens of thousands of unemployment applications that were stuck in the application process. This has helped decrease the call center volume.

Siloam Springs Mayor John Mark Turner has announced that the April 7 meeting of the Board of Directors will take place in a virtual setting, via Zoom Video Conferencing.

Please visit News Flash for live links and emails.

Using Zoom Video Conferencing, residents will be able to join the meeting online or by phone and will be able to provide comments that will be part on the record. In-lieu of participating in the meeting via Zoom, residents who wish to provide comments as part of the regularly scheduled public input portion of the meeting, or on a particular agenda item, may email comments to the City Clerk, a minimum of 1-hour in advance of the workshop (no later than 4:30 p.m.), to have your comments read into the record. Please provide the agenda item number/letter when emailing. If your comments are meant for general public input, please state that. You may email your comments to cityadmin@siloamsprings.com or rellis@siloamsprings.com

If a resident wishes to participate in the Board meeting via Zoom, please follow these directions.

Zoom online meeting instructions for the public (attendees):

Time: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 5:30 pm workshop and 6:30 pm Board of Directors meeting

Join Zoom meeting via the Zoom video conferencing website or app (pc/Mac; iOS Android):



Via the Internet:

Website: News Flash

If you are joining the meeting via pc/Mac or mobile device, please use your full name as your screen name.

Via Phone:

Dial in with telephone: 1-669-900-9128.

You will be prompted to enter the meeting id#

Meeting id: 754-803-582

When prompted for a participant or attendee number, press #.

The following commands can be entered using your phone's dial pad while in a Zoom meeting:

*6 - toggle mute/unmute

*9 - raise hand

*attendees utilizing the “dial in with telephone” feature will have their telephone number masked. example: 1-479-****-777

All Zoom attendees will need to utilize the “raise their hand” function in the zoom meeting to be recognized when the public is asked if anyone wishes to speak.

The moderator will unmute attendees when the forum is open for public commentary.

All attendees will be muted automatically upon joining the meeting.



The following questions/answers are provided to help everyone understand why the meeting is going to conducted in this manner:



Will the Public Be Allowed to Come to the Board Room for the Meeting?

Per Governor’s orders only 10 or less can congregate. Mayor John Mark Turner has closed the meeting to in-person attendance. Anyone can attend the meeting virtually via Zoom or by calling in if they do not have internet access.

If Attendance Isn’t Allowed, How Can I Have My Comments Heard?

The public can join the meeting via Zoom, or can email their comments to cityadmin@siloamsprings.com or rellis@siloamsprings.com at least 1-hour before the April 7 workshop meeting of the Board of Directors (no later than 4:30 p.m.) in order to have their comments read into the record. Additionally, attendees using Zoom will have the option to “raise their hand” to be recognized by Mayor Turner. Your call will then be unmuted, and you will have an opportunity to speak to all attendees and participants.

How Can I Watch the Board Meeting?

You can view the meeting live via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/cityofsiloamsprings/playlists or as a participant via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/754803582. One may also phone in via Zoom to listen to the meeting if they do not have internet access.

Playback will be available on Cox Channel 245 and on the City’s website beginning April 8, 2020. https://siloamsprings.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2



Are Virtual Meetings Allowed?

While virtual meetings are not specifically mentioned in State statute, city staff is presenting a Resolution to the Board of Directors for approval that will create a precedent for this type of meeting. Additionally, many municipalities have asked the State whether or not council/board members can attend meetings, and vote, virtually? In other words, can council members participate in the meeting by phone or some other electronic means? The Arkansas Attorney General has indicated the most likely answer is ‘yes.’ However, ‘virtual’ participation must ensure the public’s ability to participate in the meeting is maintained. While the law is not crystal clear, we look to guidance from the Attorney General, who cites to a well-respected book on the FOIA. According to the Attorney General, for ‘virtual’ participation by councilmembers to not violate the FOIA, “there must also be some means of safeguarding the public's right to hear or monitor the telephone conversation or the electronic discussion, e.g., by use of speaker phones or by logging on to the computer network. A related question is: Can a city council/board meeting be conducted with the public participating ‘virtually’? Or, in other words, can a council meeting be conducted with the public participating by telephone, video or Facebook Live? The answer to this question is also not crystal clear; however, the Arkansas Municipal League believes the same logic from the AG opinion mentioned above applies to this question, as well. So, while the answer is likely ‘yes,’ public participation must still be maintained. However, considering these difficult times, the Arkansas Municipal League believes that as long as the proper safeguards are in place to ensure all members of the public can hear the council/board and that the council/board can hear the public, the meeting will not violate the FOIA.

Governor Hutchinson Press Conference 4/2/2020

COVID 19

Cases: 643, up 59 from yesterday

Hospitalizations: 66

Total deaths: 12 (8 are 65+, 4 are 19-65)

Recoveries: 47

Sheltering in place:

It’s important to note that our targeted response

Closed schools

Closed restaurants and bars except for take out

Closed lodges at state parks

Closed hair salons, barber shops, massage therapy clinics, nails salons, tattoo shops

Closed gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys and indoor entertainment centers

Directed state employees to work remotely when possible

Projected vs. Actual:

3500 projected, 643 cases

Strategy of a targeted response is proven to be successful, lowering the apex of the curve.

Stay at home:

State with statewide stay at home orders: LA, TN, MS, KS

Part of the state has a stay at home order: MO, OK, TX

No state has everyone staying at home.

No state is on the downside of this epidemic. The hope with the stay at home order is a decrease in growth. OUR rate of growth has flattened out.

Most of the stay at home orders are not actually stay at home orders- essential activities are exempted. A lot of activities are excluded under many of the orders, which can be confusing that a lot of people are still going to work.

If he entered a stay at home order- would mean over 700,000 Arkansans would still go to work. It would also mean that people could still leave their home to go to grocery stores and hardware stores.

Additionally, a couple hundred thousand would be out of jobs.

There is always the option to go to more stringent in orders

Measuring every day. Trying to make good judgements with good data that make sense in Arkansas. We will do more if we have to. Most people are being extremely responsible with social distancing.

Prison environment: how are we protecting those incarcerated? Screening employees when they come to work. Limited movement in the prison. In person visitation stopped March 16. Parole and probation waived for April. Inmates are making washable masks. No inmates have tested positive, one staff member did test positive, but didn’t have contact with inmates. Two inmates have been tested

Practical moratorium on evictions because courts are closed.

Have received 70% from our national stockpile, what we’ve ordered through regular supply chain means is starting to come in.

A message from City of Siloam Springs Mayor John Mark Turner and City Administrator Phillip Patterson:

The City of Siloam Springs continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and takes our direction from Governor Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health.

In the interest of the health and safety of the community, the city continues to conduct only essential services along with other work that city employees can while practicing social distancing. We’ve closed park amenities, the library, made public buildings available only by appointment, and cancelled city sponsored events and event permits.

The city wants to remain transparent in communications about COVID-19. We receive information from the Arkansas Department of Health. The ADH does not share city locations of COVID-19, only county locations. The City can only refer to the number of COVID-19 cases in Benton County. According to ADH they cannot share the cities in which cases have occurred or any hospitals to which patients have been admitted because of privacy issues. They are only sharing numbers in counties.


Governor Hutchinson continues to lead the state by issuing various orders and directives including no groups over ten, closing in-dining for restaurants, closing indoor entertainment venues, closing barber shops and hair salons and the practice of social distancing. The City will continue to recommend everyone shelter-in-place to the degree possible. The best way to flatten the curve is to practice social distancing and not go out except for groceries, take-out dinners, for medications, etc. We encourage people to go outside and get fresh air and exercise while practicing the six-foot social distancing rule.


Additionally, Governor Hutchinson has reserved the authority to regulate the closure of businesses to himself through an executive order. Therefore, the city does not have the authority to close businesses. Nor does the city have the authority to tell retailers how to conduct their business. In addition, only the State has the authority to order residents to shelter-in-place. As previously stated, we strongly encourage you to shelter-in-place, but the city doesn’t have the authority to require residents to do.

We encourage you to continue to visit the Arkansas Department of Health website for updates about COVID-19 data and sign up for updates via the City’s website. https://www.siloamsprings.com/list.aspx

Governor Hutchinson spoke about modeling and projections of COVID-19 cases during his /3/31/2020 press conference. There's some good news for Arkansas. "Let’s follow the guidelines from the CDC and Dr. Smith and the Arkansas Health Department and if we’re successful at doing that we’re going to beat what those projections are., and that’s our objective because that saves lives. That get us out of this crisis much quicker, it gets back to normality in a quicker fashion", Governor Hutchinson said.
You can see the discussion at 6:30 in the video or read the transcription below.

On the blue line (line representing the projected numbers) it shows that toward the end of mid-April, April 10, we'll be at 3500 cases here in Arkansas of COVID-19. So I wanted to track where we are on the red line (line representing real numbers) in reality.

So as you can see here, that we have actually lowered that trend line so that we are under it, the blue line where we were projected to be at 500 earlier than that, we are now at 500, but we were projected to be up close to 1000. So this is good news for us when you see, and the public needs to understand, that the red lines means we are having success in our social distancing. We are having success following the guidelines that have been set of limitations on gatherings and if we can continue to do that then the blue line goes up the red line we hope to stay underneath that blue line.

And this is a very conservative estimate as most people know in terms of our ultimate number of cases here in Arkansas. And this projection only goes to mid-April and we will try to extend this as we have more real time information so we can project out further.

But it gives the Arkansan an objective almost: let’s do our part, let’s be self- disciplined, let’s follow the guidelines from the CDC and Dr. Smith and the Arkansas Health Department and if we’re successful at doing that we’re going to beat what those projections are., and that’s our objective because that saves lives. That get us out of this crisis much quicker, it gets back to normality in a quicker fashion. So that is the objective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqjcZQwx8aQ

Per Governor Hutchinson's Press Conference 4/1/2020:
COVID-19 data today:

584 cases

56 hospitalized

25 on ventilators

10 total deaths

Over 800 tests in the last 24 hours (through Dpt. Of Health lab, commercial, and UAMS)

7124 tests completed to date in the State

Drive-Through Testing Facility for First Responders:

Announcement: partnership with Walmart and Quest Laboratories for a drive through testing facility in Bentonville that will be focusing on first responders and health care workers who show symptoms. If they meet requirements, they will be able to drive through and get testing in a short amount of time. This is a pilot project that will eventually roll out to the rest of the country. Looking to be operational by early next week.

State Parks:

1. Day trip use only of State Parks. No overnight use of facilities- beginning April 3.

2. Restrict parking that will limit access. No overflow parking from parking lots.

3. Some trails will close that are problematic. (posted on the State Parks website, should be live by this afternoon).

4. Park rangers will be able to enforce guidelines to a greater extent. Reduce gathering, educate visitors on social distancing, etc.

5. Buffalo River Scenic Park will be closed until we can determine it was safe. Yesterday, 60% of visitors were from outside of the State.



If this doesn’t help social distancing, then we will adjust as needed.

Unemployment insurance:

The State went from processing over 1,000 a week to 30,000 in a week. Please be patient.

At this time, Arkansas unemployment cannot process pandemic unemployment compensation which applies to self-employed workers and independent contractors. The State is still waiting on guidance from the Department of Labor. Please hold off- staff cannot help until we get guidance from the Department of Labor.



If you’re not doing something important, stay home.
Those who are not being responsible need to be reminded on who they can harm.

Helpful information from the CDC on how to disnfect properly.
There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about the virus and about similar coronaviruses that cause SARS and MERS, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, but disease transmission via infectious aerosols is currently uncertain. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus in general occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.

It is unknown how long the air inside a room occupied by someone with confirmed COVID-19 remains potentially infectious. Facilities will need to consider factors such as the size of the room and the ventilation system design (including flowrate [air changes per hour] and location of supply and exhaust vents) when deciding how long to close off rooms or areas used by ill persons before beginning disinfection. Taking measures to improve ventilation in an area or room where someone was ill or suspected to be ill with COVID-19 will help shorten the time it takes respiratory droplets to be removed from the air.

How to Clean and Disinfect

Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available herepdf iconexternal icon. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products for concentration, application method and contact time, etc.

Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or

4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Soft (Porous) Surfaces

For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:

If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.

Otherwise, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19pdf iconexternal icon and that are suitable for porous surfaces

Electronics

For electronics such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and ATM machines, remove visible contamination if present.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.

Consider use of wipeable covers for electronics.

If no manufacturer guidance is available, consider the use of alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol to disinfect touch screens. Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid pooling of liquids.

Linens, Clothing, and Other Items That Go in the Laundry

In order to minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air, do not shake dirty laundry.

Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts for transporting laundry according to guidance above for hard or soft surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hand Hygiene:

The risk of exposure to cleaning staff is inherently low. Cleaning staff should wear disposable gloves and gowns for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.

Gloves and gowns should be compatible with the disinfectant products being used.

Additional PPE might be required based on the cleaning/disinfectant products being used and whether there is a risk of splash.

Gloves and gowns should be removed carefully to avoid contamination of the wearer and the surrounding area. Be sure to clean hands after removing gloves.

If gowns are not available, coveralls, aprons or work uniforms can be worn during cleaning and disinfecting. Reuseable (washable) clothing should be laundered afterwards. Clean hands after handling dirty laundry.

Gloves should be removed after cleaning a room or area occupied by ill persons. Clean handsimmediately after gloves are removed.

Cleaning staff should immediately report breaches in PPE such as a tear in gloves or any other potential exposures to their supervisor.

Cleaning staff and others should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.

Follow normal preventive actions while at work and home, including cleaning hands and avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Additional key times to clean hands include:

After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing

After using the restroom

Before eating or preparing food

After contact with animals or pets

Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance such as a child

Per Governor Hutchinson's Executive Order:
"All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are subject to the following directives and exceptions:

Due to the high risk of community spread of COVID-19, gatherings of more than ten (10) people in any confined indoor or outdoor space are prohibited until further notice. Gatherings subject to this directive include, without limitation, community, civic, public, leisure, commercial, or sporting events, concerts, conferences, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, and festivals."

https://governor.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/executiveOrders/EO_20-10._.pdf

https://govstatus.egov.com/ar-covid-19

Gov Hutchinson Press Conference 3/26/2020, 2:30 p.m.

Special Session of the Legislature, Senate meeting

335 cases 3/26/2020 2:30 pm
41 hospitalized of those 335 cases

Directive, specifics are available by public health directive this afternoon. Details to follow.

Dr. Nate Smith- Director and State Health, Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health:

60% female cases in Arkansas
41 hospitalized, up from 12 yesterday (partly because of the collection method and real time assessments) hospitals are now reporting to Ark. Dpt. Of Health
13 currently on ventilators, up from 4 yesterday (partly because of collection method as well)
3 deaths, all in central Arkansas
13 recovered- will be asking those to be willing to donate plasma so we can treat those who are critically ill



Announcing initiative- only during this public health emergency
Environmental modifications (drive through test sites, building modifications)
Financial support for workforce safety and training for providers who have to do face to face
Expansion on telemedicine and transpiration to non-critical care
Additional payments to support nurses, $1000 a month for nonphysician direct care workers (250/wk), additional $2000(500/wk) to nurses in facilities treating COVID19
Homelessness initiatives- city will do an agreement to use funds to draw down federal money so there aren’t people in congregate housing.
Foster care initiative, additional payment of $500


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

National shortage of PPE, we have made a number of very large purchases that will be made available to healthcare
3 million n95 masks
4 million surgical masks
3 million disposable gowns
7 million gloves

Scheduled to be here this weekend. Dpt. Of Health will determine how these are allocated.

Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. the City of Siloam Springs will close park amenities. This includes all playground equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, skateboard facilities, soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, batting cages, the JBU outdoor gym, the futsal court, Tails and Trails Dog Park, bird blind at City Lake, and ALL park bathrooms.

City park amenities are closed until further notice. Groups not practicing social distancing on city property are prohibited. Groups of more than ten are prohibited.

The Dogwood Springs Trail will remain open; City Lake trail will remain open; park lands will remain open. Gazebos will remain open under social distancing guidelines.

When using trails and park lands, please follow the National Recreation and Park Association’s recommendations on social distancing minimums. https://www.nrpa.org/blog/keeping-a-safe-social-distance-in-parks-and-on-trails-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

There are a number of specific recommendations for advising the public to keep safe social distancing when in parks or on trails

Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to trails — wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, do not use trails if you have symptoms, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc.

Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other people. Practice it and know what it looks like. Keep it as you walk, bike or hike.

Warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass to allow proper distance and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times. Signal your presence with your voice, bell or horn.

Note that trail and park users may find public restrooms closed — be prepared before you leave and time outings so that you are not dependent on public restrooms.

Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.

Bring a suitable trash bag. Leave no trash, take everything out to protect park workers

Dr. Nate Smith, Director and State Health Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health has issued a directive that barber shops, beauty shops, salons, nail salons, massage parlors, massage therapists, and tattoo parlors are ordered to close beginning Tuesday, March 24.

City crews are experiencing an increase in clogged lines due to "flushable" wipes. Clogged lines from wipes and additional rubbish could cause sewer lines to back up in your house.
While wipes are marketed as flushabe, these are still not safe for the municipal waste water lines. The only safe thing to flush is toilet paper and human waste.

COVID-19 is causing other problems associated to cleaning. Now that people are using more wipes for cleaning around the house, work, hands, babies and other things the City has seen a major increase in disposable and flushable wipes being disposed via the toilet. 90% of wipes say they are flushable they are not intended to be disposed in the municipal sewer system. They clog lines and damage lift station pumps. These pumps are used to transport wastewater to the municipal wastewater facility to clean the contaminated water. Clogged lines causes collection system to not work properly and back up.
City crews have had pumps damaged from disposables and flushable wipes along with paper towels in collection system. Please do not flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet.

Effective Monday, March 23, all city offices will be restricted to essential personnel only. Many staff members are working from home; if you have business that can be conducted via email, phone, or the website, we encourage you to do so.

City of Siloam Springs Police Department and Fire Department will continue to be operational from an emergency response standpoint, but will send as many office/records staff home as possible.

Sanitation, Utility Billing, Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Plants, Meter Reading, Finance, and Administration will continue with skeleton crews.

Spring Clean Up is cancelled. Curbside recycling is suspended until further notice. You may drop off recycling at the containers located at 1108 E. Ashley. Brush pickup will continue.

The Transfer Station/Sanitation Division building is closed to the public. Please take any excess trash to Waste Management. As an alternate, trash may be taken to the Waste Management landfill located at 2210 WM Dr, Springdale, AR 72762. Waste Management only accepts credit/debit cards.

Water services- call 479-238-0921 for emergency water leaks during business hours. Call 479-524-4118 for emergency leaks after hours.

Parks and Recreation will close doors and only operate Oak Hill cemetery as needed.