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COVID-19 Update – March 31

Governor’s press conference today, TUESDAY MARCH 31st, 2020 (link in comments):
🔘 523 total
🔘 3 new counties: Columbia, Newton, and Perry. This is a total of 51 counties.
🔘 1 new death (8 total). Person over 65 who passed away in Central AR.
🔘 The New York Times story going around showing AR is one of worst states in regards to per capita testing has OUT OF DATE information. It says we have tested 1,839. In reality, we have tested 5,794.
🔘 Based on modeling, we were projected to have around 900 cases on this date. We are currently around 500. We are flattening the curve, but must continue to do our part!
🔘 There is concern about # of out of state visitors traveling to AR to visit our parks, specifically those from highly impacted states. Governor is looking at ways to curtail those numbers.
🔘 To the Bar Assoc., Realtors Assoc., and Title companies: the requirement for notary action in person is temporarily suspended. It can be done by audio and video means.
DR NATE SMITH, SEC OF ADH:
📍Breakdown on the 523 cases:
17 children
348 people ages 18-64
158 people ages 65+
📍44 diabetes
39 heart disease
23 chronic lung disease
12 chronic kidney disease
16 compromised immune condition
📍64 hospitalized
23 on ventilators
47 are from nursing homes
35 people have recovered
79 are healthcare workers
📍Lab testing capacity continues to increase: 94 tests completed at ADH lab yesterday. 83 tests completed at UAMS lab.
📍ADH lab is going to 24/7 testing.
📍WHEN IS IT OK TO RETURN TO WORK?
➡️ IF YOU’VE TESTED POSITIVE: you
can return once you’re 7 days past
onset of illness and 3 days without
fever.
➡️ IF YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED BUT NO
NO SYMPTOMS: you can return
after 14 days.
DEPUTY SEC KEESA SMITH, DHS:
📍Now accepting SNAP applications by phone and waiving the interview. (Document in comments for more information)
📍15,000 people in our state depend on Home Heath services. In an effort to ensure safety, DHS staff came together to form an ad hoc call center to ensure all 15,000 are getting at least 2 calls a week.
📍Please check on your elderly neighbors in a social distancing appropriate way. Make sure they’re safe. Make sure they have food.

2020-04-03T21:56:42+00:00 Mar 31st, 2020|In the News|