KUAF - Daniel Caruth
Many students across Arkansas return to school this week. With new COVID-19 variants emerging, some health officials are urging students, parents and school staff to take precautions that could prevent virus outbreaks.
Courtesy/CDC
In June, COVID-19 vaccines were approved for kids as young as six months old.
KUAR | By Remington Miller, Alexandria Brown
As Arkansas’ COVID-19 cases continue to decline, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is scaling back vaccinations and testing.
On Friday, UAMS will close a drive-thru testing site on the Little Rock campus at Shuffield Drive and Jack Stephens Drive at 4 p.m. It opened just over two years ago on March 13, 2020. Tests will still be offered starting Monday, March 28 by appointment only at the nearby Monroe Building at 401 S. Monroe Street.
Last Friday, it halted the operation of a vaccine clinic that had most recently been located in the Monroe Building. Vaccinations will still be available there, but only by appointment. Since the first vaccination clinic opened on Jan. 19, 2021 in the Freeway Medical Center, UAMS says it has administered more than 118,000 doses.
Michael Hibblen/KUAR News
Doctors and nurses testing people for COVID-19 at UAMS' drive-thru triage location on July 23, 2020. The drive-thru testing site is to be closed on Friday.
by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)
The Arkansas Medical Society board of trustees adopted a policy Monday (Aug. 30) calling for the required vaccination of health care workers.
In a statement released broadly, the AMS said the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association had endorsed the position and “more medical organizations are expected to do the same.” The AMS is the largest and most influential physician lobbying group in Arkansas.
“The physicians of Arkansas are deeply concerned about their patients and the citizens of our state as we continue to wage a battle with the COVID-19 virus and its highly contagious variants. Our ethical obligations, as well as the ethical obligations of most health care workers, teach us to always put patients first. To live up to that moral and ethical standard, it is imperative that we lead by example and take a stand in support of required vaccination for health care workers,” the AMS statement said.
This week FDA gave full approval to the Pfizer and BioNtech’s COVID-19 vaccine, previously authorized only for emergency use. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also announced plans to provide COVID-19 booster shots to maintain immunity. Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, chief medical office and medical director for immunizations and outbreak response at the Arkansas Department of Health explains.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/fda-approved-covid-19-vaccines-boosters-arkansans-explained
Jennifer Dillaha, MD, is Medical Director for Immunization/Outbreak Response at the Arkansas Department of Health.
COURTESY / ADH
LITTLE ROCK – Over the past several weeks, I have visited 16 communities on my Community COVID Conversations tour, and I heard heartfelt concerns, heartbreaking stories, and heartening testimonies about the value of the COVID-19 vaccines.
I launched the tour in an effort to increase the vaccination rate in Arkansas and to engage the community to overcome hesitancy.
The face-to-face gatherings allowed me the opportunity to speak, and more importantly, perhaps, people in the communities had the chance to hear from each other.
One frequent topic was about different treatment options, including ones that many doctors won’t prescribe. At the Camden meeting, Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt joked that if we banned the cattle dewormer that some people reportedly are taking, people might be more willing to take the vaccination. Then he turned serious and admitted at the beginning he thought the whole vaccination campaign was political, and that he and his wife had been hardheaded and refused to get the shot. But after discussions with his son-in-law, who is a doctor, the judge and his wife got the vaccine.
The Camden meeting gave Dr. Jera Smith the chance to respectfully provide correct information to a pastor who spoke about the rate of miscarriages in pregnant women who took the vaccine. The number of miscarriages is one in four, the same as the rate before the pandemic, she said. She pointed out that women who are immunized during the third trimester of their pregnancy pass the COVID antibodies to their babies.
Dr. Smith also used her medical knowledge to assure us with a detailed explanation that the vaccines do not alter DNA.
In Texarkana, Ward 2 Director Laney Harris cited the terrible Tuskegee experiment in the 1930s to explain why members of the African American community don’t trust the government’s recommendation for medical treatment of COVID.
Dr. Loren Robinson, chief medical officer of St. Michael Health System, spoke of her initial hesitancy to take the vaccine because she was pregnant. She walked us through the thought process and personal evaluation that eventually led her to get the vaccine.
In Siloam Springs, some of the participants were passionate, even angry, which I expect anytime you discuss the overlap of personal choice, public health, and the role of government. That is the beauty of these gatherings. Through these conversations, people hear from both sides. That’s the best we can do. I want Arkansans to make good judgments, and accurate information is essential.
I understand the hesitation of some to take the vaccine, but I’m not asking anyone to do anything I’m not willing to do. The First Lady and I are fully vaccinated. I encouraged all the members of my family to get vaccinated as well.
If your hesitation comes from distrust of the government, national medical authorities, or the pharmaceutical industry, talk to your family doctor or talk someone you trust. My hope is that you will decide to take the best action to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors. COVID-19 is real, and it’s stealing too many of our loved ones unnecessarily.
To end on a positive note, fifty-one percent of Arkansans have had at least one dose of the shots. That’s great progress. If you aren’t one of those, please think about helping to increase our number.
LITTLE ROCK – This week, I issued a call for a special session of the General Assembly, and today I’d like to explain why my action was necessary.
In the spring, I signed Act 1002, a law that prohibits a government agency from establishing a mask mandate. That made sense to me at the time because I oppose any government-issued statewide mask requirement. And now we have vaccines available. Also, at the time, the number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths and hospitalizations was very low. In other words, we were coming out of the pandemic nicely. But as happens in life, everything changed.
The Delta variant, which is more transmissible than previous variants, arrived, and our cases, hospitalizations, and COVID-related deaths increased. It became clear to me that the law needed to change, and I actually said I regret signing the bill. That statement created somewhat of a firestorm, but it is important for leaders to adapt and change strategies when the facts change – particularly when you are in an emergency.
With public schools opening for in-person instruction this month, I decided we needed to enact exceptions to Act 1002 to give schools some flexibility regarding face masks in congregate settings, and this should be limited to those students under twelve years of age. This was necessary because those under twelve are not eligible for a vaccine.
I convened the General Assembly to make this limited exception in order to provide more protection for those under twelve, and the law would leave the final decision in the hands of the local school board.
Pursuant to my call, the General Assembly met and considered the exception but failed to act. This leaves us all with the urgent need to get more of our students, teachers, parents, and community vaccinated. If we can’t provide life-saving vaccines to those under twelve, then we have to form layers of protection around them.
So that will be my focus in the coming days. Perhaps you will join me in one of my Community COVID Conversations – or Town Halls – to respectfully discuss how we can stop this virus with more vaccinations.
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 0
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.
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 4
In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 61 new cases; 1,939 active cases; 172 hospitalized, which is up 1 from Sunday; 29 on ventilators, which is up 3 from Sunday; deaths added today, 4, for a total of 5,747; a total of 336,166 cases; PCR tests, 1,307; antigen tests, 106.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Benton, 11; Pulaski, 9; and Faulkner, 8.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“Today's report shows a higher level of vaccinations than this time last week. Thanks to everyone for doing your part. We are continuing to monitor new cases and variants across the state, but the best way to prevent the spread is by getting vaccinated. Get your shot today.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 7
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 4
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Confirmed Cases: 10
Active Probable Cases: 4
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 3
In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 240 new cases; 1,961 active cases; 166 hospitalized, which is up 1 from Wednesday; 29 on ventilators, which is up 2 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 9, for a total of 5,735; a total of 335,529 cases; PCR tests, 4,135; antigen tests, 973.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Benton, 35; Pulaski, 33; and Washington, 22.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“Our vaccine numbers were lower today than last week. We have plenty of doses across the state, and all Arkansans 16 and older are eligible. Check the Department of Health website or call 1-800-985-6030 if you need assistance finding a location to get vaccinated.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 7
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Confirmed Cases: 11
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 1
In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 63 new cases; 1,805 active cases; 170 hospitalized, which is up 18 from Sunday; 27 on ventilators, which is up 3 from Sunday; deaths added today, 2, for a total of 5,720; a total of 334,769 cases; PCR tests, 1,158; antigen tests, 106.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Benton, 12; Craighead, 7; and Pulaski and Washington with 6 each.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“We have resumed administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today. This is great news, and it will allow us to increase the number of doses administered in the coming days and weeks. If you haven't gotten vaccinated, schedule your appointment today.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
LITTLE ROCK – The administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will resume in Arkansas today, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced.
“Vaccinations are the most important tool we have to neutralize COVID-19,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “The resumption of the J&J distribution allows us to say with confidence that the vaccine is as safe as the first two. This will reenergize our campaign to persuade everyone to be immunized. Vaccinations are the only way we can bring this global pandemic to an end. Now that the pause is lifted, the J&J vaccine will be available through many pharmacies and Arkansas’s local public health units. Don’t wait any longer to get your shot.”
For additional information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Department of Health website HERE.
(Photo: Reuters)
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 15
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 1
In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 161 new cases; 1,923 active cases; 171 hospitalized, which is down 4 from Wednesday; 22 on ventilators, which is down 2 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 3, for a total of 5,711; a total of 334,222 cases; PCR tests, 4,672; antigen tests, 965.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 22; Benton, 13; and Craighead and Faulkner with 9 each.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“Today's report shows a decline in new cases compared to last week and a slight decrease in active cases from yesterday. As we vaccinated the 1 millionth Arkansan today, around one-third of our population has received at least one dose. These are good numbers, but we can do better. Do your part by getting your vaccine as soon as possible.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Governor Asa Hutchinson will commemorate the 1 millionth person to be vaccinated in Arkansas at the Department of Health on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 7
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 1
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 59 new cases; 1,789 active cases; 164 hospitalized, which is up 3 from Sunday; 22 on ventilators, which is up 1 from Sunday; deaths added today, 5, for a total of 5,699; a total of 333,511 cases; PCR tests, 1,553; antigen tests, 200.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 16; Benton, 5; and Garland and Washington with 4 each.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“Today we saw fewer new cases with more testing than this time last week. The increase in vaccine doses was larger this week than last Monday. Our combined efforts are keeping the numbers low, but we will lose momentum if we do not increase our vaccination numbers.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
