Monday COVID Update: 2165 new cases since Friday; Energy bill help through CARES Act

Thanks to Ken Yang for this report:

Arkansas COVID-19 Update for MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020. Please Continue Being Safe and Practicing Social Distancing.

See below for today’s announcements, charts, Arkansas case numbers, Saline County case numbers and the video of today’s full update from Governor Hutchinson.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Governor Hutchinson and Secretary Romero made these announcements today:

1. Reminder: Statewide Mask Mandate effective beginning today

2. Washington Regional Medical Center requested National Guard assistance and the Governor has activated 10 National Guard personnel to support them for 30 days.

3. New Supplemental/CARES Act Crisis Program – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – The Supplemental Crisis program has larger benefits and the ability to help applicants with all types of home energy needs.

• Opening Date is July 27, 2020

• Includes Benefits for Heating: Gas, wood, propane, and electricity

• Assists up to $1500 Maximum Benefits: Up to two (2) applications per household

4. Summer Cooling Program – The Summer Cooling Program ensures that low-income citizens, who are vulnerable to the effects of the hot, humid summers in Arkansas, have the benefit of air conditioning and are encouraged to use air conditioning in their homes because they have help with electricity bills.

• OPEN NOW!

• Regular Benefits – No Crisis Required: a minimum of $100 paid to electricity utility

• Crisis Intervention Benefits: can be coordinated with CARES Act crisis program to pay a large balance