Governor Hutchinson 10/6/2020 COVID-19 Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9T0w2iOt30
>Updates to the Long-Term Care Directive Update- We need to adjust protocols for nursing homes so they can have visitors.
>Minimum visitation at long-term care facilities may occur in the following situations if approved by the resident's health care provider- medical treatment, compassionate care situations.
>Expanded visitation may occur at Long=term care facilities that meet the following requirements: the facility has not had a newly positive COVID case in 14 days; the facility meets all staffing requirements; the facility has adequate PPE to meet the needs of residents and staff; the facility screens every visitor, employee, contactor, and vendor entering the building; and the facility will restrict access to persons who do not meet screening criteria.
>Halloween Guidance: wear a cloth face covering instead of a costume mask alone or on top of your cloth face covering; limit the number of houses children visit; only eat factory-wrapped candy that has been wiped with a sanitary wipe. Low-risk activities include: carving and decorating pumpkins, decorating your house, having a virtual costume contest.
>CASE REPORT- up 532 in last 24 hours to 84,203 cumulative cases
>Up 5 hospitalizations to 529 (new high)
>Up 22 deaths to 1321 Arkansans who have died from COVID
>6,157 PCR test, 7.7% cumulative positivity rate
>1,059 antigen testing, 12.6% positivity
>Active cases in colleges has gone down, but the active cases in the 0-17 age group has gone up with a 5.3% growth rate over the last week.
>Top counties: Washington County 57, Pulaski 43, Benton and Faulkner 27, Sebastian 25, Craighead 23
3,841 probably cases
>White House says we are showing an impressive decline, but we need to temper that with continued vigilance and continued mask wearing, increased hand washing, and physical distancing.
>22 schools are currently in some form of modification
>6 new active modifications in schools
>25% are virtual learners right now.
>Engage Arkansas= provide support to districts on reengaging students. These will be in education renewal zones. Engage Arkansas will create strategies for students who are disengaged, no-shows, and at-risk students. The program will include telehealth counselors and academic coaches.