Governor’s press conference today, SATURDAY APRIL 4th, 2020 (link in comments):
🔘 743 total cases
🔘 3 new counties impacted: Dallas, Prairie, and Lafayette.
🔘 AR Bridge Loan Program has awarded 80 loans over 36 counties, totaling $1.7M to date.
🔘 1st SBA loan was approved so we know federal loans are starting to come through.
🔘 Our unemployment claims are up 66,000.
🔘 On Wednesday alone, the unemployment hotline had over 300,000 calls. 54 employees have been added to the call center.
🔘 $10M is being made available to rural hospitals through state economic assistance grants.
🔘 New Executive Order 20-13 regarding hotels, motels, and short term rentals. Purpose is to target out of state recreational travelers (link to story in comments).
DR NATE SMITH, SEC OF ADH:
📍Breakdown on the 743 cases:
20 children
49 people ages 18-24
210 people ages 25-44
263 people ages 45-64
201 people ages 65+
📍72 currently hospitalized
58 are from nursing homes
106 healthcare workers
23 on ventilators
12 are pregnant
📍2 new deaths, 14 total
10 have been 65+
4 have been 19-64
📍 Nursing home breakdown:
8 cases currently in Willow Bend
Healthcare and Rehab in Marion Co
10 total nursing homes have had cases
2 no longer have positive cases
3 deaths
📍CDC recommends we wear cloth
masks or a cloth covering in public
places. It is limited in protecting the
wearer however it protects others from
the wearer. Very important to decrease
spread of COVID-19.
📍 Singing can produce small droplets
which can spread COVID-19. If you
are singing in a church choir, it would
be an excellent time to wear a cloth
mask.
📍6 confirmed cases in Federal
Correctional Facility in Forrest City. 3
inmates and 3 staff.