Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.
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ADEM Warns Against the Latest COVID19 Scam
NORTH LITTLE ROCK— The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) is warning citizens that there are persons who are impersonating employees of the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) going door to door and offering COVID19 testing in exchange for money and personal information. ADEM has confirmed that the CDC is not going door to door for testing.
Arkansas residents encountering someone at their door stating they are there to test them for a Coronavirus or COVID19 should file a consumer complaint with the Arkansas Attorney General's office by calling (501) 682-2007 or (800) 482-8982 or downloading a Consumer Complaint Form at https://arkansasag.gov/forms/file-a-consumer-complaint/
File a Consumer Complaint | Arkansas Attorney General
The Attorney General's office wants to do the fighting for you. Please fill out this consumer complaint form so that we may best assist you. Please note if you are filling out the form for someone else. A consumer complaint form may also be downloaded and mailed or emailed.
Statement from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture on COVID-19
Starting March 18, 2020, following guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about gatherings and social distancing, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will not be holding face-to-face meetings with 10 or more people for the next eight weeks.
Some of the meetings may shift to a virtual format and some may be canceled or postponed. If you had planned to take part in a meeting hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service or the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in the next eight weeks, please watch for communications from the meeting organizer or contact the organizer.
Some Cooperative Extension Service offices, in keeping with the local government decision, are functioning, but closed to the public. Many of our staff are still available by phone, text, email or social media and many offices have established drop boxes to collect soil samples.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the Arkansas Department of Health at https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/progra…/…/novel-coronavirus or the CDC online at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/…/share-facts.html.
The Cooperative Extension Service has a page with easy-to-understand COVID-19 information here: https://www.uaex.edu/life-skills-wellness/…/Coronavirus.aspx.
Coronavirus health information | COVID-19 research-based information
Click on an image to download. 8.5 x 11 posters. Click a thumbnail to download. 1) What is a novel coronavirus? A: A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The federal government has authorized $50 billion in disaster recovery loan funding to be administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. First, Arkansas must show that small businesses have suffered substantial economic injury, before the governor can activate and access the program funding so loans can be offered. If your business has been affected by COVID-19, please complete this worksheet and return to Arkansas Division of Emergency Management at businesscovid19@adem.arkansas.gov. https://tinyurl.com/s59zdlx
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Arkansas Department of Health Statistics
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson to Provide COVID-19 Update to Media (03.18.20)
Division of Agriculture makes Pesticide Applicator Training Certification Available Online
Division of Agriculture makes pesticide applicator training, certification available online
Fast Facts:
• Private applicator training now available online at www.uaex.edu/pat
• $20 cost does not include license fee paid to state
• Valid for both initial certification and recertification
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LITTLE ROCK — Statewide training and certification for private pesticide applicators from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is now available online to help keep farmers on schedule as the planting season approaches.
The training, which is required for licensure through the Arkansas State Plant Board, is available to both experienced applicators seeking recertification and individuals seeking first-time certification.
Online applicator recertification first became available from the Division of Agriculture last year. Kevin Lawson, Faulkner County extension staff chair, said the decision to make the online training available to first-time applicators is in response to the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus first detected in Arkansas earlier in March.
“The Cooperative Extension Service, like a lot of things, have had to cancel most or all of our public meetings in the immediate future,” Lawson said. He said the cancellation of this training could put many farming operations throughout the state in an acute bind, as the weeks the precede spring planting are a key window to applying pre-emergent pesticides.
“This may save a lot of folks’ rear ends,” Lawson said.
To access the online training, visit www.uaex.edu/pat. The cost of the training is $20, which does not include license fees that must be paid to the state. Certification is good for five years, and private applicators may get a one-year or five-year license.
First-time applicators for private farm operations can receive a license from the plant board with proof of the online training. First-time commercial applicators must still complete testing with the state to receive their certification.
According to the Division of Agriculture’s pesticide application training website, to qualify as a private applicator, one “must be involved in the commercial production of agricultural commodities on your own farm or the farm of your employer to qualify as a private applicator. Home gardeners do not qualify for a private applicator license.”
Ples Spradley, extension pesticide assessment specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the training is formatted as a series of narrated slide shows, with quiz questions embedded in the presentation, which lasts about 2.5 hours.
“You can’t just turn this on and walk away while it plays out,” Spradley said. “You have to be engaged.”
Spradley said more than 300 individuals have participated in the online training so far in 2020. He said the Cooperative Extension Service normally trains between 3,000-4,000 private applicators and more than 1,000 commercial applicators each year.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service
Protect you and your family during the COVID-19 outbreak by practicing proper hand washing techniques. Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap. Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Understanding the Coronavirus
Credo Reference: Understanding the Coronavirus
Highly contagious, the coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the impacts are widespread. Your Credo Collection features timely articles on this topic from The Conversation. We've gathered some key content for you that your users may find helpful for background in making sense of this outbreak.
Explainer: What's the difference between an outbreak and an epidemic?
What's the difference between pandemic, epidemic, and outbreak?
How big will the coronavirus epidemic be? An epidemiologist updates his concerns
Coronavirus: How big, how bad, and what to look out for
Coronavirus: Who is at risk and how do we know?
Social distancing: What it is and why it's the best tool we have to fight the coronavirus
Coronavirus: Ten questions about self-isolation answered
Crisis communication researcher shares 5 key principles that officials should use in coronavirus
Does screening travelers for disease and infection really work?
7 science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Report for Tuesday
Bowie County has its First Presumptive Case of COVID-19
TEXARKANA, TX- The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Bowie County, TX has been identified. We are awaiting confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. More details will be released as they become available.
Bowie County has its first presumptive case of COVID-19
Texarkana News TEXARKANA, TX- The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Bowie County, TX has been identified. We are awaiting confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. More details will be released as they become available. Mar. 16 2020 @ 6:05pm
The Bowie County/City of Texarkana, TX Emergency Operations Center is now operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call (903) 255-5560.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How to Protect Yourself
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.
Know How it Spreads
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Take steps to protect yourself
Clean your hands often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Take steps to protect others
Stay home if you’re sick
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a facemask if you are sick
If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and disinfect
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.
Options include:
Diluting your household bleach.
To make a bleach solution, mix:5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
OR4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
Alcohol solutions.Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.
Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.
Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens pdf icon[7 pages]external icon claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
From the Center for Disease Control
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.
Arkansas Public Schools Temporarily Closed
Governor shuts down all Arkansas schools for two-week period; programs throughout the local area are cancelled as well.
For the complete story, visit:
Governor shuts down all Arkansas schools for two-week period; programs throughout the local area are cancelled as well
Closures and cancellations are sweeping the community and state as COVID-19 has taken root in Arkansas. Governor Asa Hutchinson, on Sunday afternoon, said in a press conference that all Arkansas schools will close by Tuesday, March 17 and stay closed until March 30, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Arkansas Temporarily Closing Public Schools
BREAKING NEWS: The Arkansas Department of Education in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Health is closing all public schools STATEWIDE starting Tuesday, March 17th until Monday, March 30th. Districts MAY close on Monday, March 16 if they are prepared to do so.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
While the state response to COVID-19 is one that is rapidly evolving, we do want to update you on the latest developments.
Late Friday afternoon, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced he will amend an executive order to allow expanded use of telemedicine in the state. The Governor also announced he is providing additional resources to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) which will create 10 new lab positions and assist with much-needed help at the call center.
Additionally, the state has requested and will receive more personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel and first responders.
As of Friday afternoon, there is a total of 9 presumed positive cases in Arkansas. The patients with presumed positive test results reside in the central Arkansas region. Schools in Pulaski, Grant, Jefferson, and Saline counties are currently closed. Residents in these counties are being asked to limit large gatherings to 200 people or less.
On Monday, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) issued a public health directive to long-term care facilities across the state to question visitors about their travel over the past 14 days and to screen visitors and staff for signs of illness and fever.
All Arkansans are being asked to reconsider every trip out of state.
Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, Medical Director for Outbreak Response at ADH, advised that if you are showing symptoms (including coughing, fever, and shortness of breath), you should consult your primary care provider instead of county health units or the hospital.
If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
While ADH is currently limited in the number of tests they can administer, physicians can order tests from commercial labs.
UAMS has set up a coronavirus hotline for people who have questions or feel they may have symptoms. The number is 1-800-632-4502. UAMS HealthNow is also available for free COVID-19 screenings.
To access, go to UAMS HealthNow and click on “Begin Screening.”
This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to patients of all ages across the state of Arkansas and is accessible from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer with video capabilities.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital announced that any family with children health questions related to COVID-19 can call 1-800-743-3616.
ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus. During normal business hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm), urgent and non-urgent calls, please call 1-800-803-7847. After normal business hours, urgent calls needing immediate response, please call 501-661-2136.
Jonquil Festival Cancelled at Historic Washington State Park
Horatio Team Advancing to All-State
Gov. Hutchinson, ADE Announce Teams Advancing to All-State Coding Competition Including Team From Horatio
LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Education announced today the 17 teams advancing to the Fourth Annual All-State Coding Competition in May. Sixteen teams are winners of All-Region Coding Competitions that took place Feb. 28 around the state. Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, the school that produced the first-place team at the 2019 state competition, will receive an automatic invitation to send a team to the 2020 state competition.
"Congratulations to the 17 teams that qualified for the Annual Governor’s All-State Coding Competition,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “This competition is an excellent showcase for our students' creativity, and I look forward to seeing the bright and talented students on this year’s teams demonstrate impressive levels of innovation and skill in coding." The ADE Office of Computer Science used a rubric to score each team that participated in the regional events.
The following teams have been selected to advance to the state competition. ASMSA in Hot Springs – Karsen Beck, Dunagan Evans, and Trinity Robinson Bentonville High School in Bentonville – Katherine Pearce, Mekhi Scullawl, and Caleb Jones Bentonville West High School in Bentonville – Karina Batra and Ryder Johnson Cabot High School in Cabot – Ethan Peck, Tyler Lacroix, and Addison Zheng Central Junior High School in Springdale – Jackson Daniel, Audrey Shellhammer, and Connor Simmons Clinton High School in Clinton – Titus Johnson, Alex Prosser, and Reynaldo Saavedra Conway High School in Conway – Ethan Moss, Brian Russell, and Kevin Lewis Don Tyson School of Innovation in Springdale – Lucas Kellar, James Cassady, and Benjamin Easterling Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville – Gabriel Giarratana, Katherine Pummill, and Minsoo Song Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier – Geoffrey Shoemaker, Hayden Herman, and Christian Watts Greenwood High School in Greenwood – Shea Brown, Jackson Stewart, and William Hutchinson Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville – Owen Bell, Julian Sanker, and Daniel Whitmire Har-Ber High School in Springdale – Samuel Lonneman, Jesse Ford, and Melvin Vizueth Horatio High School in Horatio – Jacob Brecheisen, Duncan Connor, and Hannah Norman Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro – Matthew Sherman, Kyle Clayton, and Eric Seglem Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock – Hetvi Shah, Alex Borengasser, and Anne Li Rogers New Technology High School in Rogers – Volodymyr Miata, David Daniel, and Joshua Thomson
Each member of the first-place team at the state competition will receive a $2,000 award that will be deposited into a 529 College Savings Plan. Each member of the second-place team will receive a $1,000 award deposited into a 529 College Savings Plan, with each member of the third-place team receiving a $500 award deposited into a 529 College Savings Plan. In addition, the schools that register/sponsor the first, second, and third-place teams will receive $10,000, $6,000, and $4,000 (respectively) to support their computer science programs.
The prizes and competition expenses are paid for with a Verizon grant to ARCodeKids. ADE extends congratulations to the advancing team members, sponsors, and schools. In addition, all 16 hosting locations are to be commended for the work of their staff in making the regional events successful and fun for students.
Teams advancing to the state competition will receive an official invitation with more details by April 17, 2020. Follow us on Twitter @ArkansasEd. Like us on Facebook at Arkansas Department of Education. Follow us on Instagram at arkansas_ed.
First Impressions Hospitality Training Postponed
FIRST IMPRESSIONS HOSPITALITY TRAINING HAS BEEN POSTPONED due to concerns and recommendations regarding COVID19. The workshop will be rescheduled with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and announced as soon as a possible date is available. The De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce appreciates all who registered online and through email, and we will keep you updated on this and other training opportunities as dates become available. Thank you for the willingness to invest your time into making our community a thriving place to work, stay and play!
Managers and front-line workers in the hospitality industry - restaurants, retail shopping and specialty shops, convenience stores, motels, cabin rentals and event venues, attractions, etc. - are encouraged to attend! This training focuses on giving you skills proven to boost your business’s profit. Training is provided by a certified instructor from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, and is all about your business creating the best First Impression. ** Participating businesses will be eligible for the new HOSPITALITY AWARD and recognition at the 2021 Annual Community and Business Awards Banquet! ** De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce
Spring Sports Suspended in Arkansas
From the Nashville News Leader
ATTENTION CADC EHS/HS/ABC PARENTS and/or LEGAL GUARDIANS:
There will be no school effective until March 30, 2020. Children will return to school on March 30, 2020. AMI packet information is being sent home for our children and families today. Here is a little more information about this virus: Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging global disease. There is more to learn about its transmission, severity, and other features, as well as what may happen in the United States.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides up-to-date information about prevention, symptoms, testing, and the current situation. We are sorry for any inconveniences caused by this decision, but it is in the best interest of our students, families, staff, and communities. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Barbie Baxter, CADC EHS/HS/ABC Program Manager-Director at (501) 332-5426.
Thank you,
Barbie Baxter