Governor Hutchinson 3/16/21 COVID Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXY-1py_518
>Vaccine distribution: we have received 1,499,580 doses and given 863,880.
> There are 265,115 people partially immunized and 303,823 individuals fully vaccinated.
> 55% of Arkansans aged 65+ have received at least one dose. 27.2% have been fully vaccinated.
> Effective today Arkansas is opening the vaccines up to group 1C.
> 1C includes Arkansans aged 16-64 with health conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID. Essential workers in energy, finance, food service, information technology and communications, legal, media, public health/human services, public safety, shelter and house, transportation and logistics. Also includes people residing in high-risk settings- this includes those who are incarcerated or detained, those living in group homes, congregate settings, crowded housing or student housing such as dorms and Greek housing.
> Arkansas has opened their eligibility to have all eligible for the vaccine by May 1.
> There are nearly 1 Million people in the 1C category. We have not vaccinated all people in the 1B group yet, but important to go ahead and open the eligibility to 1C. Call and get on the appointment schedule.
> Vaccine call-line 1-800-985-6030
> Case update- 327,456 cases in Arkansas with 2,875 active cases.
> 257 hospitalized, up 7 from yesterday.
> 5,493 deaths, up 12 from yesterday.
> Have completed 82,419 PCR tests this month, with 2,614 tests coming in yesterday.
> 29,496 antigen tests this month, with 1,616 tests coming in yesterday.
> Total positivity rate of less than 5%
> Top new cases by county: Pulaski 54, Benton 49, Washington 35, Faulkner 22, Baxter 15
> Our peak was January 7 with 2,813 cases per day.
> You should continue to mask even if you have received the vaccine.
> The vaccine is safe and effective. It is effective against death and severe illness needing hospitalizations.
> Need 70-90% of our population immunized to have “herd immunity”.
> There has been some reluctance to get the vaccine in rural areas.