LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Health is reporting that there are 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Governor Asa Hutchinson had announced Saturday afternoon that there were three new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases in the state. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Gov. Hutchinson will provide an update at 11:15 a.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.
Key facts to know:
Monday, March 16:
10:00 a.m.:
22 people have tested presumptive positive for coronavirus in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
Sunday, March 15:
8:45 a.m.:
The Arkansas Department of Health updated its website to say that 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 are now in the state.
ADH also is reporting 30 people are under investigation.
Saturday, March 14:
6:20 p.m.
The Arkansas Department of Health says all 12 cases of the coronavirus in Arkansas are now considered positive. They are no longer presumptive. The CDC has decided they no longer need to confirm cases themselves.
1:30 p.m.
Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, will provide an update regarding Arkansas’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, confirmed there are 3 additional cases of presumptively positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas.
They have confirmed the three new cases are in connection with the first case found in Pine Bluff. This brings the total of confirmed cases to 12 of COVID-19 in the state of Arkansas.
The Governor has also activated the Arkansas National Guard to help with EMT support.
11:35 a.m.
The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will be closed starting today at 1:00 p.m. until Monday, March 23.
Friday, March 13:
10:00 p.m.
A federal financial aid package to fight the coronavirus and offer free tests, sick pay for workers and other measures has been agreed upon in Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the aid deal on Friday afternoon. The agreement with the Trump administration for an aid package would provide free testing, sick py and also bolster food programs.
FULL PRESSER:
The Arkansas Department of Health closed all Pulaski County schools through March 30.
Many students receive their only weekday meals from the schools they attend. Additionally, some schools also send weekend meal items with students on Fridays.
To keep those students from being hungry during the mandatory school closures, the City of Little Rock worked with several community partners to develop a schedule that can be found here.
4:00 p.m.:
UAMS is offering several options, including a drive-thru triage for those who believe they may have coronavirus symptoms.
3:20 p.m.:
The Clinton Presidential Center will suspend "most operations" until March 30.
The suspension will close the following:
- Clinton Library's permanent and temporary exhibits
- Research room
- Clinton Museum Store
- 42 bar and table will suspend in-restaurant service, but will offer a lunch menu for curbside pickup between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Clinton School of Public Service will stop in-person classes and move to online classes for the remainder of the semester.
2:05 p.m.:
Gov. Hutchinson said of the three cases, two were from out-of-state travel and the other's origin is unknown at this time. Two of the new cases are at home, while one is hospitalized.
The governor recommended that no gatherings of more than 250 people in Jefferson, Pulaski, Grant and Saline counties.
During the press conference, Hutchinson said the Arkansas Department of Health has limited testing right now.
"Do not worry about the cost of a COVID-19 test," Hutchinson said during the press conference.
Officials stressed that if you believe you have coronavirus or COVID-19 that you should not go to the ER, but instead call your doctor or hospital for guidance.
1:20 p.m.:
Before Hutchinson's press conference, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. confirmed the city's first community transmission case of COVID-19.
UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson that case was one where the person was infected without contact with someone known to be infected with COVID-19. Patterson said this means there are people in the community who are infected that health officials don't know about.
We will continue to update this article with new information as it becomes available.