Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson held a news conference on Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 to update on the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEE VIDEO BELOW.
The Governor addressed concerns about whether he should order Arkansas residents to stay at home (shelter in place). He outlined all the organizations and businesses that he has already ordered to close. The list includes schools, restaurants and bars except for dine-out, lodges at state parks, casinos, hair salons, barber shops, massage therapy, nail salons, tattoo shops, gyms, theaters, bowling alleys, and indoor amusement. He has also directed state employees to work remotely where possible.
He stated that he realizes that Arkansas is one of the few states that doesn’t have a Shelter in Place order, but that it would put too many people out of work, and what we’re currently doing as a state is keeping the curve down. Dr. Nate Smith added that Arkansas is a state with a much lower population, so that must be taken into consideration for the viability of social distancing.
Wendy Kelly, State Secretary of Corrections stated that prisons in Arkansas began taking precautions on March 16, 2020, by not allowing any visitors. They have reduced fees on phone calls and internet as a concession during this time. They have also been screening employees as they come in, and limiting movement between areas. Kelly stated that out of approximately 18,000 inmates, none of them are infected at this time. Two inmates have been tested, with negative results. One employee did test positive, but that person is not someone who is near inmates.
Dr. Nate Smith, State Secretary of Health listed the current statistics for COVID-19 patients below:
Statistics:
- 643 cases total
- 20 ages 18 and under
- 440 ages 19-64
- 183 ages 65+
- 51 in a nursing home
- 66 hospitalized
- 23 on a ventilator
- 12 deaths
- 8 over age 65
- 4 ages 19-64
- 66 hospitalized
- 91 healthcare workers
- 10 physicians
- 26 nurses
- 4 CNAs
- 51 other
- 51 in nursing homes
- 47 have recovered