Governor Hutchinson 2/23/21 COVID Press Conference
>Our nation has passed 500,000 deaths of COVID.
> Vaccination group 1B is expanding effective February 23. Arkansans aged 65or older. An additional 115,000 Arkansas is now eligible to be vaccinated. Vaccines are available through many community pharmacies/clinics located in every county. You must call ahead and make an appointment or share your contact information at one pharmacy or clinic convenient to you.
> State program= doses received 794,230 with 500,914 given (61.3%) Total of 855,230 doses received or allocated.
> Federal program= 61,000 doses allocated with 33,565 doses given (55.0%).
> Total 855,230 doses received with 535,479 doses given.
> Goal to get through 1B by the end of March.
> We will increase nationwide doses by 1,000,000 in addition to our current allocation. We will get another 4,000 doses next week in the national vaccination programs.
> Johnson & Johnson vaccine might be available next week.
> Case report= 834 new cases with 4,807 total active cases.
> 5,377 total Arkansan deaths with 545 Arkansans hospitalized.
> Top counties: Benton 165, Pulaski 101, Washington 59, Garland 39, Faulkner 33, Lonoke 33
> Testing 2,496 PCR tests, 2,101 antigen test results were received yesterday.
> So far this month= 145,257 PCR test and 59,594 antigen tests.
> Large reduction in active cases
> Those in long-term care facilities that did not take advantage of the first round of vaccines can still get the vaccine if wanted.
> WEAR your mask, WASH your hands, and WATCH your distance. The mask is an effective way of preventing transmission.
> Ark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and partners launched Vaccinate the Natural State initiative to encourage all Arkansans to get their vaccinations as soon as it is available to them.
> A number of schools are continuing remote learning because of damage from winter weather.