Governor’s press conference today, SUNDAY APRIL 19th, 2020:
? 1,781 total cases: 1,020 active cases, 721 recovered. Doesn’t include Cummins.
? 551 total tests yesterday for general population.
? Almost 1,400 inmates have been tested at Cummins Unit. In last 2 days, they have done 974 tests. 634 results have been received. 348 are positive.
? Population at Cummins has been segregated with 8 barracks for those who are positive and 7 barracks for those who are negative. Almost all positives are asymptomatic. 3 have been hospitalized.
? The Parole Board has released 271 inmates from county jails across the state who were in violation of a sanction and not deemed a public safety risk.
? The Parole Board along with Dept of Corrections are reviewing all non-violent and non-sex offender inmates who are due for release within next 6 months. 1,990 inmates fit this criteria. They’ll be reviewed from a public safety standpoint to determine if they can be released. The purpose is to have sufficient space in case of outbreak in another facility.
DR NATE SMITH, SEC OF ADH:
?88 currently hospitalized
25 currently on ventilators
2 new deaths: both under 65. One a
nursing home resident, one a
healthcare worker from Jefferson
Regional associated with first
outbreak cluster.
?Based on TOTAL cases:
60% White
29% African American
4% Hispanic
0.2% Pacific Islander
3% Other
5% Missing
11% diabetes (197)
7% heart disease (126)
4% chronic lung disease (77)
237 healthcare workers, 115
recovered
128 nursing home residents
?Cummins Unit:
348 inmates tested positive
6 staff tested positive
These #s not reflected in today’s
total
?Forrest City Federal Corr. Institution:
No new cases. CDC is working
closely with Federal Bureau of
Corrections on testing strategy.
DIR DEXTER PAYNE, DIV OF CORRECTIONS:
?The modular unit and South Hall
haven’t been tested because they are
outside of the Cummins Unit facility.
?Inmate COPD list has been reviewed.
Looking for possible release for
inmates with chronic illness.
?If an inmate who has tested positive
for COVID-19 and has also been
approved for parole or discharge,
they will not be released.