Paola Castillo, 24, of Texas Hospitalized with COVID-19 for 79 days

A 24-year-old Texas woman was recently discharged from the hospital after spending 79 days fighting for her life after contracting the coronavirus. She was admitted to the facility on April 27 after she began to experience symptoms of COVID-19 including: difficulty breathing, coughing and a fever, which she first noticed about six days prior to her hospitalization. She presented to the emergency room after her condition became unmanageable from home.

https://www.foxnews.com/health/texas-woman-covid-mask-coronavirus

Texas woman, 24, hospitalized with COVID-19 for 79 days: I should have worn a mask

A 24-year-old Texas woman was recently discharged from the hospital after spending nearly 80 days fighting for her life after contracting the novel coronavirus. Paola Castillo of North Richland Hills was discharged from Medical City North Hills this week after 79 days in the hospital.

Saturday's COVID-19 Maps and Numbers from the Arkansas Department of Health

The Arkansas Department of Health has released the latest COVID-19 numbers for the state and area counties in southwest Arkansas.

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
  Total Positive: 842
  Active Positive: 61
  Recovered: 772
  Deaths: 9
  Negatives: 3,826

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
  Total Positive: 161
  Active Positive: 39
  Recovered: 121
  Deaths: 1
  Negatives: 1,770

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
  Total Positive: 58
  Active Positive: 12
  Recovered: 45
  Deaths: 1
  Negatives: 943

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
  Total Positive: 98
  Active Positive: 14
  Recovered: 84
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,752

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
  Total Positive: 27
  Active Positive: 12
  Recovered: 15
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 2,130

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Friday (07.17.20) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Friday, July 17, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Thursday (07.16.20) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Thursday, July 16, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m.. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

Red Cross Provides Antibody Testing to Blood Donors

The American Red Cross is in need of donations from donors of all blood types. This summer, the nonprofit is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to their donors.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/red-cross-provides-antibody-testing-blood-donors

Red Cross Provides Antibody Testing to Blood Donors

The American Red Cross is in need of donations from donors of all blood types. This summer, the nonprofit is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to their donors.

Thursday COVID-19 Numbers and Maps

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
  Total Positive: 822
  Active Positive: 62
  Recovered: 751
  Deaths: 9
  Negatives: 3,769

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
  Total Positive: 157
  Active Positive: 38
  Recovered: 118
  Deaths: 1
  Negatives: 1,733

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
  Total Positive: 54
  Active Positive: 13
  Recovered: 41
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 930

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
  Total Positive: 94
  Active Positive: 14
  Recovered: 80
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,714

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
  Total Positive: 23
  Active Positive: 12
  Recovered: 11
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 2,059

Walmart Requiring Shoppers To Wear Masks Beginning Monday

Walmart says shoppers must wear masks inside its stores starting Monday — the largest retailer to join a growing list of companies making face covering mandatory across the nation.

Walmart and Sam's Club — as well as Kroger — are joining Costco, Starbucks, Best Buy, Panera Bread and others in implementing a nationwide requirement for customers to wear masks inside their stores. 

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/walmart-will-require-shoppers-wear-masks-other-retailers-urged-follow

Walmart Will Require Shoppers To Wear Masks; Other Retailers Urged To Follow

Walmart says shoppers must wear masks inside its stores starting Monday - the largest retailer to join a growing list of companies making face covering mandatory across the nation. Walmart and Sam's Club - as well as Kroger - are joining Costco, Starbucks, Best Buy, Panera Bread and others in implementing a nationwide requirement for customers to wear masks inside their stores.

Wednesday's Arkansas COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
  Total Positive: 819
  Active Positive: 75
  Recovered: 735
  Deaths: 9
  Negatives: 3,757

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
  Total Positive: 154
  Active Positive: 38
  Recovered: 115
  Deaths: 1
  Negatives: 1,731

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
  Total Positive: 50
  Active Positive: 9
  Recovered: 41
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 928

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
  Total Positive: 90
  Active Positive: 12
  Recovered: 78
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,698

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
  Total Positive: 20
  Active Positive: 10
  Recovered: 10
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 2,044

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update from Conway (07.15.20) 130PM

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.

https://www.fox16.com/news/local-news/two-visitors-find-large-diamonds-at-crater-of-diamonds-state-park/

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.