Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media from Conway on Wednesday, July 15th, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. (Click on Play Button Above)
Two Large Diamonds Found Recently at Crater of Diamonds in Murfreesboro
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (News release) — Confirmation of two large diamonds found at Crater of Diamonds State Park made for a busy week last week at the park, one of the only places in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source.
Two visitors find large diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (News release) - Confirmation of two large diamonds found at Crater of Diamonds State Park made for a busy week last week at the park, one of the only places in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source.
UAMS Chancellor Calls For Mandate To Require Masks Throughout Arkansas
UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson has been through a health crisis before. When he was entering the medical field in the late 80’s, the country was awakening to the HIV epidemic. Today, the COVID-19 pandemic is moving more rapidly and affecting many more people in Arkansas and across the globe.
With the state recording its highest one-day number of COVID-19 cases – 1,061 on Saturday – Patterson said it’s time for a statewide mask mandate.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/uams-chancellor-calls-mandate-require-masks-throughout-arkansas
UAMS Chancellor Calls For Mandate To Require Masks Throughout Arkansas
UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson has been through a health crisis before. When he was entering the medical field in the late 80's, the country was awakening to the HIV epidemic. Today, the COVID-19 pandemic is moving more rapidly and affecting many more people in Arkansas and across the globe.
Tuesday COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 811
Active Positive: 82
Recovered: 720
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,725
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 138
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 108
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,674
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 45
Active Positive: 5
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 921
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 89
Active Positive: 11
Recovered: 78
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,683
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 20
Active Positive: 11
Recovered: 9
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 2,020
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update (07.14.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Monday's Updated COVID-19 Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 807
Active Positive: 88
Recovered: 710
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,695
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 137
Active Positive: 30
Recovered: 106
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,636
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 43
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 904
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 88
Active Positive: 11
Recovered: 77
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,645
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 19
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 9
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,974
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Monday (07.13.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, July 13, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.
UC Davis Children’s Hospital Latest on Wearing of Masks Against COVID-19
Scientific evidence is clear: Social distancing and wearing masks help prevent people from spreading COVID-19, and masks also protect those who wear them, two UC Davis Health experts said on UC Davis LIVE: COVID-19.
A range of new research on face coverings shows that the risk of infection to the wearer is decreased by 65 percent, said Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Your Mask Cuts Own Risk by 65 Percent
Scientific evidence is clear: Social distancing and wearing masks help prevent people from spreading COVID-19, and masks also protect those who wear them, two UC Davis Health experts said on UC Davis LIVE: COVID-19.
'We are on the Edge': UAMS Chancellor says ICU is Full
by KATV
Friday, July 10th 2020
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The intensive care unit at UAMS is completely full, Chancellor Cam Patterson said on Friday.
A spokesperson for the hospital said that it is not unusual for the 52-bed ICU to be full, and they are not all COVID-19 patients. But in a special episode of PBS's 'Arkansas Week,' Patterson said that hospitals in Arkansas are "at the edge" of their capacity for virus patients.
https://katv.com/news/local/uams-intensive-care-unit-full-chancellor-says
Governor Asa Hutchinson Holds Press Conference at UA Cossatot in De Queen
On Friday, July 10, 2020, Arkansas Governor, Asa Hutchinson, held a press conference to discuss the latest information concerning COVID-19 in De Queen at University of Arkansas Cossatot. Prior to the press conference, a private luncheon was also held at the college for Governor Hutchinson and Sevier County community leaders to discuss updates, reports, and future plans.
The luncheon took place at noon, where Governor Hutchinson spoke with community leaders and representatives from Sevier County. Topics concerning the economy, education, as well as health and safety in Sevier County were discussed.
The press conference began at 1:30 P.M., where UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, welcomed everyone and introduced the governor.
Governor Asa Hutchinson said, “It is good to be in De Queen, and the commitment of this community in terms of reducing the spread and cases of COVID-19 is a success story. The members of this community have done a good job handling everything.”
Hutchinson also added, “It is good to hear that the economy is doing well here in Sevier County despite the number of cases that have occurred.”
The governor encouraged everyone to continue to take responsibility and to do their part. Wearing masks and social distancing was recommended to help decrease the spread of the virus.
Governor Hutchinson was also joined by Dr. Nate Smith and Dr. Jose Romero from the Arkansas Department of Health.
Dr. Smith said that Sevier County has been hit hard by COVID-19, but he appreciated the community for the way its residents have addressed the challenge of preventing it. Dr. Smith stated that as of July 10, Arkansas has 26, 803 total cases of COVID-19, and 5,847 active cases.
Dr. Smith also addressed Sevier County’s number of cases and praised the amount of testing that has taken place in Sevier. 2,563 people in Sevier County have been tested per a 10,000 population, which is twice the state average of 1,225. Dr. Smith also added that about 90% of the Sevier County residents who had COVID-19 are recovered.
Dr. Romero also addressed everyone at the press conference about COVID-19 concerns in Spanish, while UA Cossatot Center for Student Success Coordinator, Erika Buenrrostro translated in English.
At the end of the conference, Governor Hutchinson answered questions from the press. He stated that Arkansas has experienced success in flattening the curve this past spring and will need to translate that same success for the summer and fall.
Sunday's COVID-19 Latest Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 800
Active Positive: 89
Recovered: 702
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,657
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 135
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 102
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,606
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 42
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 896
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 86
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 76
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,632
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 23
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,961
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson in De Queen Friday at UA Cossatot
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media in De Queen on Friday, July 10, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. Because of the coronavirus, the press conference is not open to the public.
Friday's COVID-19 Updated Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 781
Active Positive: 88
Recovered: 684
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,589
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 121
Active Positive: 30
Recovered: 90
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,566
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 0
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 882
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 84
Active Positive: 8
Recovered: 76
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,594
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 19
Active Positive: 12
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,894
Walton College Adds University of Arkansas Cossatot to Community College Transfer Program
The Sam M. Walton College of Business has added University of Arkansas Cossatot to its "Turn 2 into 4" program that helps students at two-year institutions in Arkansas transition to complete a four-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.
UA Cossatot is the third community college in Arkansas to formally partner with Walton College in the program and the second in the University of Arkansas system.
Students will earn an Associate of Science in Business at UA Cossatot and transition to any of the Walton College majors within the B.S.B.A. degree program, including opportunities for online majors in general business, accounting and supply chain management.
UA Cossatot has its main campus in DeQueen and also has campuses in Nashville and Ashdown.
The Walton College also has partnered with North Arkansas College and UA Pulaski Tech, part of the U of A system. Walton College also has a long-standing agreement with Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) — one both campuses are building on to transition into the Turn 2 into 4 program.
Such agreements with two-year institutions are designed to lower costs and help students transition to four-year degrees more easily. The articulation agreement is intended to increase the number of college graduates in Arkansas reduce duplication for courses toward degree completion and provide opportunities for cities and counties in Arkansas to retain talent in their communities through online degree programs.
Contact transfer@walton.uark.edu for more information.
Arkansas Highway and Interstate Speed Limits to Rise Soon
By PHOEBE SANDERS • JUL 7, 2020
The speed limits on Arkansas highways and interstates will soon be increasing, but there are concerns it will lead to more accident fatalities, as has happened in other states.
Last year the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation which puts the state on pace with neighboring states like Texas and Oklahoma. The maximum speed on rural stretches of interstates will go from 70 to 75 miles-per-hour. Some urban sections and four-lane highways will increase from 60 to 65 mph.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Holds Media Availability Thursday with U.S. Attorney General William Barr
Governor Asa Hutchinson held a media availability Thursday at 1:30 p.m. after a luncheon with U.S. Attorney General William Barr, Senator Tom Cotton, and Congressman French Hill.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Holds Media Availability Thursday with U.S. Attorney General William Barr
Governor Asa Hutchinson will hold a media availability Thursday afternoon, 07/09, at 1:30 p.m. after a luncheon with U.S. Attorney General William Barr, Senator Tom Cotton, and Congressman French Hill.
Thursday's Updated COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 769
Active Positive: 89
Recovered: 671
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,559
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 115
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 85
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,531
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 0
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 877
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 81
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 72
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,586
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 12
Active Positive: 5
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,883
Arkansas Nursing Homes Have Reopened to Visitors
As visitations resume in nursing homes, visitors will have to follow new Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, like limiting visits to two guests per resident, wearing face masks, and passing a health screening. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities closed to the public March 13 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to vulnerable residents in these facilities.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-nursing-homes-reopen-visitation
COVID-19 Latest Maps and Numbers for Wednesday
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 758
Active Positive: 86
Recovered: 663
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,538
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 106
Active Positive: 24
Recovered: 81
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,508
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 875
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 80
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 71
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,574
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 11
Active Positive: 4
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,865
