Governor Hutchinson Talks Increasing Cases, Expanding Hospital Capacity In Weekly Briefing

LITTLE ROCK – At his weekly news briefing today, Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed the state expanding hospital capacity and increasing case numbers.

COVID-19

Governor Hutchinson announced the new numbers for COVID-19 as of Friday with Arkansas surpassing over 100k active cases in the state. This means over 3% of the population is currently an active case and hospitalizations have increased to a new record of 1,658.

"With where we are right now in this pandemic, and with the Omicron variant we do believe we are managing our way through it," Governor Hutchinson said, "We are responding to the needs that are out there and we are hopeful we will see the cases go down."

Governor Hutchinson gave an update on hospital expansion from the approved $50 million dollars. He said that beds have been opened in hospitals that have received that money to increase capacity for the surging cases.

According to reports from Thursday, about 42 beds were open with about 54 left to be opened meaning additional capacity is coming soon with more beds coming online.

He said it is important to see the cases of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant compared to past spikes and to see how while the cases are much higher now, hospitalizations are far less in comparison to the current case number.

Governor Hutchinson presented the at-home test map that shows where the 1.5 million tests were distributed to. There are still about 370,000 available at local health units with libraries having a supply as well. These tests should help alleviate testing demands giving a cushion while waiting for federal tests to be delivered.

Greg Crain, Vice President of the Arkansas Baptist Health centers spoke during the briefing applauding the work of health care workers dealing with the COVID-19 surges. He gave thanks to the decision from Governor Hutchinson, the Department of Health, and Legislators, to expand beds for hospitals around the state including Baptist Health hospitals. He said without this expansion the Arkansas health care infrastructure would be in deep trouble.

Dr. Romero, Secretary of Arkansas Department of Health spoke about the impact the Omicron variant has had on Arkansas. He noted that while hospitalizations reflect how Omicron is less severe on an individual level, the Omicron breakout is still very severe on a societal level and still poses a threat to our health care system.

Gov. Hutchinson: Arkansas ready to vaccinate 271,000 children ages 5-11

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

When federal regulators green-light the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said doses formulated for the age group will be “immediately available” through Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) units scattered around the state.

A panel advising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to vote Tuesday (Nov. 2) to authorize the reduced Pfizer dose for the age group. Following that vote, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky could immediately approve emergency use authorization. If she does, it would mean vaccines are available for all U.S. citizens age 5 and older. Pfizer data on vaccine testing in the age group indicates it is almost 91% effective against symptomatic illness.

Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero estimated there are about 271,000 Arkansans – roughly 9% of the state’s population – in the 5-11 age group, and the state will have 110,000 doses available for the “first wave.” He said the initial doses should be “more than enough” for the initial demand.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/11/gov-hutchinson-arkansas-ready-to-vaccinate-271000-children-ages-5-11/

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address / Getting Across the COVID Finish Line

LITTLE ROCK – The state’s emergency health declaration ends this Sunday, and today I’d like to encourage Arkansans to remember that although the emergency has passed, we are still in a pandemic.

We have plenty of reasons to be optimistic, though. Our hospitalizations are down. The General Assembly enacted into law my emergency orders that allowed telemedicine and liability protection. Now every Arkansan 12 and older has access to vaccines, and the vaccine is the best way to manage COVID.

But these encouraging signs and the end of the emergency declaration do not change the fact that COVID-19 is still in our community. The public health concerns remain, and we must continue to take it seriously.

Throughout the pandemic, I have worked closely with my team at the Arkansas Department of Health as we decided the best course of action. After consulting Health Secretary Dr. José Romero and his experts, I am confident that ending the declaration is the correct action. Arkansans have demonstrated they will do the right thing, so we can safely move from an emergency response to the day-by-day management of the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that 50 percent of adult Arkansans have at least one shot. That is good, but we must do better. And we hope to have seventy-percent of all Arkansans to be vaccinated.

We all know that vaccinations are our way out of the pandemic, and that is why I am supporting a program of incentives to help move Arkansas across the finish line.

On Tuesday, I announced the state will purchase fifty-thousand Arkansas Scholarship Lottery scratch-off tickets and fifty-thousand gift certificates for hunting and fishing licenses from Arkansas Game and Fish. Starting this week, everyone who receives a vaccination will get the choice of a lottery ticket or the Game and Fish certificate. If we hand out all of those, we’ll purchase more if this proves successful to motivate more people to get a shot.

In addition for Memorial Day weekend, the Department of Health is partnering with Arkansas State Parks to stage vaccination clinics at three of our state parks – DeGray Lake, Mississippi River, and Petit Jean. The name of everyone who receives a shot at one of these clinics will be entered into a drawing for two nights of free lodging at any of our state parks.

Last week, I announced that employees of the state’s executive branch agencies who receive the vaccination will receive a one-hundred-dollar bonus. We want employees to be immunized so they can be safe. But we also want to create a safe environment for those who must come into a state office, whether it’s to get a driver’s license or register a business.

Memorial Day is the time we officially set aside to honor the memory of those who have given their life in service to the United States. Memorial Day also is the unofficial start of summer. This year, Memorial Day also marks the end of the COVID-19 emergency for Arkansans. We are making progress against the pandemic. Normal life is in sight, and that’s something to be thankful for this Memorial Day.

A Renewed Push for Arkansas Vaccinations

By KYLE KELLAMS

Demand for vaccinations in Arkansas is slowing, even though the state is not close to the eventual goal for immunizations. Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Jose Romero are again explaining the need for more people to get shots.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/renewed-push-arkansas-vaccinations

COURTESY / ASA HUTCHINSON

Arkansas Health Secretary To Remain In Position After Fierce Legislative Debate

By MICHAEL HIBBLEN

The Arkansas Senate narrowly voted Thursday to keep state Health Secretary Dr. José Romero in his position, despite criticism from some senators over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The debate also included an ongoing theme of some senators accusing the executive branch of wielding too much power during the health emergency. Romero was appointed to the position by Gov. Asa Hutchinson last May, and continues to have the governor’s support.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-health-secretary-remain-position-after-fierce-legislative-debate

Arkansas Health Secretary José Romero speaking at a press conference on Jan. 18 shortly before being vaccinated for COVID-19.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

Arkansas To Receive More Vaccines; Dr. Romero Warns Of Virus Variants

By MICHAEL TILLEY/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday the state will receive a 5% increase in vaccines delivered, which is on top of the 16% increase announced last week. He also said Walmart will receive 10,000 doses beginning Feb. 11 to be distributed at more than 60 stores in the state.

In addition to an increased vaccine supply from the federal government, Gov. Hutchinson also said Tuesday during his weekly COVID-19 briefing he will not extend beyond Feb. 3 the 11 p.m. required closing of bars.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-receive-more-vaccines-dr-romero-warns-virus-variants

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Health Secretary Dr. José Romero and other state officials enter the governor's conference room at the state Capitol for Tuesday's coronavirus press conference.

CREDIT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE / YOUTUBE

Arkansas Health Secretary Updates Legislators on COVID-19 Vaccine EUA, Distribution

Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero, who is also the chair of the CDC's national Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, went before state legislators Monday to discuss the latest developments in the race to distribute the first of what are likely to be several COVID-19 vaccines. To watch the full Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee meeting, click here.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-health-secretary-updates-legislators-covid-19-vaccine-eua-distribution

Arkansas Health Secretary Updates Legislators on COVID-19 Vaccine EUA, Distribution

Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero, who is also the chair of the CDC's national Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, went before state legislators Monday to discuss the latest developments in the race to distribute the first of what are likely to be several COVID-19 vaccines.