130 Medical Circle, Nashville, AR 71852 www.howardmemorial.com 870-845-4400 main 870-845-4178 fax
March 2020
To the communities we serve:
Our hospital follows the Centers for Disease Control’s recommended infection prevention and control practices, including minimizing the chance for exposures, placing any patient with known or suspected COVID-19 in a separate location, providing personal protective equipment to health care personnel (gloves, gowns, masks and goggles), and educating staff, patients and the community on proper hand hygiene.
Our hospital is educating the public that the best way to prevent infection is by following the same preventive measures used during the normal cold and flu season. Wash hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home from work or school if you are sick to prevent the spread of infection.
Our hospital participates in emergency preparedness training year-round and is prepared to handle an influx of patients, should that occur. Hospitals communicate and coordinate directly with each other regularly and, in times of large-scale disasters.
Since, last week, Howard Memorial Hospital has been meeting internally and with local officials to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and community. Here are the things that we have in place at this time to address COVID-19:
o Screening everyone that enters into the facility via the ER and Main Lobby by asking three questions and obtaining a temperature. If a patient meets criteria for COVID-19, the patient is escorted outside to a separate area for medical screening exam.
o Using testing guidelines from the Health Department in Little Rock along with our private reference labs.
o All area ambulance services have been asked to screen patients over the phone before going into the home and transporting to the hospital and make the hospital aware of symptoms and screening results so proper precautions can be made prior to the patient arriving to the Emergency Department.
o Patients with respiratory symptoms have a mask placed and our staff will utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment before interacting with the patient.
o Our main lobby entrance is closed at 5:30pm Monday through Friday and reopens at 7am. On weekends, everyone must enter through the Emergency Department entrance. Staff are located in these areas to conduct screenings of everyone entering the facility.
o If we have a confirmed case in our area (Southwest Arkansas or Texarkana) we will move to the next stage for a much more aggressive lockdown of the facility.
Improving the health of the communities we serve
130 Medical Circle, Nashville, AR 71852 www.howardmemorial.com 870-845-4400 main 870-845-
4178 fax
As always, Howard Memorial Hospital is here for your healthcare needs. We continue to
be prepared for any emergency, large or small. If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Howard Memorial Hospital
Administration and Staff
Arkansas Map of Covid-19 Positive Cases 03.19.20
A Message to UA Cossatot Students!
I wanted to personally let each and every student who attends UA Cossatot know that everything we are doing during this crisis is to make sure you stay safe and still receive the education you expect to get from UA Cossatot. Currently we have moved all of our courses online and we will keep offering them online as long as we need to in order to keep you as safe as we can from COVID-19 exposure.
During this trying time, please reach out to us for ANY help you need. I also wanted to remind students that we can’t beat the COVID-19 outbreak without your help. Please take this virus very seriously and please practice good hand-washing habits and PLEASE refrain from meeting closely in large groups. This virus spreads mainly by close human contact and if we can eliminate that behavior, at least for a while, we can limit the spread of this virus.
What you do and how you respond personally to this epidemic will define your entire generation!
Please be safe, call or email me any time, and GO COLTS!
Chancellor Cole
Sevier County Has First Positive Case of Covid-19
From State Representative, DeAnn Vaught…
Please don’t panic! Let me say that again Please Do Not Panic! Breathe... Sevier County does have a positive case.. that is all I can tell you at this point! Let me say this again, STAY HOME if at all possible! The attached picture stresses why it is important to stay home. Take a few seconds and read it.
We knew it was a matter of WHEN not IF, that is why I try so hard to inform you as soon as I know that way you have facts.
Governor Hutchinson Announces Relief for Businesses, Child-Care Providers To Ease COVID-19 Impact
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas will tap Community Development Block Grant funds and the state’s Quick Action Closing Fund to support small businesses and nonprofits that are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today during a press conference at the Capitol.
The Governor has made a formal request for a disaster declaration for small businesses, which will open up loans of up to $2 million in working capital.
“Arkansas and the nation are enduring a jolt to the economy and a huge loss of revenue,” Governor Hutchinson said. “The state cannot cover every loss of business, but we can help with bridge loans to assist companies, nonprofits, and child-care-voucher providers weather this slowdown and retain workers during this national emergency.”
The state will allocate $12 million in block grant money and up to $4 million from the quick-action fund to provide bridge loans to help midsize companies and nonprofits remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor also announced that the state will increase reimbursement for child-care voucher providers who care for children who receive federal child-care assistance and that remain open through March 27.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will suspend the renewal process for child-care vouchers for 30 days. DHS will expedite the process and temporarily relax limits on capacity for providers. More than 800 child-care providers have closed.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will suspend the work requirement through the end of April. DHS also will expedite decisions about SNAP eligibility for those who lose income because of COVID-19.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson With COVID-19 Update to Media (03.18.20)
Cotton Introduces Phase III Legislation to Surge Cash to American Families, Businesses
Washington, D.C. – Senator Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced a series of bills today to combat the economic fallout from the coronavirus. The four bills each leverage existing government systems to surge cash to low- and middle-income Americans and struggling businesses. Summaries of the bills may be found below.
After introducing the bills, Senator Cotton released the following statement.
“Low and middle-income Americans need help now—not in weeks or months. By using existing government programs to surge cash to struggling families and businesses, we can get them that assistance now. My bills will help our nation weather this storm so that we can emerge stronger than ever on the other side.”
Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Act
Authorizes the Treasury Department to immediately cut a tax-rebate check of $1,000 for every adult tax filer making less than $100,000 per year and $500 for each claimed dependent. Married couples filing jointly that make less than $200,000 per year would be eligible for a $2,000 tax-rebate check.
Eligible filers would receive full rebate checks regardless of tax liability.
This would be a one-time payment. Treasury would use 2018 tax information to assess eligibility.
Coronavirus TANF Expansion Act
Provides Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants to states that temporarily broaden eligibility standards so that their programs apply to any family with children under 18 whose income has been reduced due to coronavirus and that earned less than 400% FPL last year.
This new class of eligibility would receive a one-time payment of at least $500 and no more than $1,000 per dependent; states would have flexibility within that guidance.
Temporarily waives work requirements for eligibility in the interest of public health.
Coronavirus Unemployment Insurance Expansion Act
Provides block grants to states that expand eligibility to cover: 1) cases where an individual's employer temporarily ceases operations due to coronavirus, 2) cases where an individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work and is not receiving pay due to the coronavirus emergency, and 3) cases where an individual must stop receiving pay in order to care for family members or dependents due to the emergency.
Reimburses states for 100% of the costs of the expansion.
Temporarily suspends requirements to seek work in the interest of public health.
Expansion would last until December 31, 2020 or the termination of the national emergency, whichever comes first.
Coronavirus Credit Expansion Act
Increases the cap on small-business disaster loans from $2 million to $20 million dollars, and funds appropriately.
Grants low-interest loans to businesses immediately, with penalties for fraudulent claims being 3x the amount of the loan.
Sevier County Water Association Office Temporarily Closing
Sevier County Water Association will be closed to the public starting Monday, March 23, until further notice. Customers can go online and pay the bill at scwa.myruralwater.com, mail it to P.O. Box 700, De Queen, AR 71832, or call at 870-642-5289.
Angie Walker Interview on Ed 88 Thursday Morning
Angie Walker of Dr Randy Walker's Clinic in De Queen, was on Ed 88 Radio with Loren Hinton Thursday morning and discussed the very latest Covid-19 information.
From the Sevier County Youth Baseball Association Board
Our board met and discussed possible scenarios of resuming our season if the park lockout is lifted on March 30. We have also reviewed the CDC's new recommendation that all public gatherings be limited to 50 people or less for the next 8 weeks. Based on that, the board has decided to cancel the 2020 season out of an abundance of caution and concern for public health. If/when this disease reaches our area, we did not want to be a conduit for exposure and transmission.
We will waive next year's fee unless you want a refund. If you want a refund, send a private message requesting a refund to the league's Facebook page (Sevier County Youth Baseball) or email at seviercountybaseball@gmail.com. Include the following information in the message body:
1)state your request for refund
2)player or player names and ages
3)name of who to make the check out to
4)mailing address
5)phone number
We realize this is not an ideal situation, but this is an issue that affects more than playing baseball.
From the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce
During the COVID-19 precautions many of you are changing the way you do business, and the Chamber has created a Facebook group to help you reach your customers!
Welcome to Sevierly Strong - Stronger Together!
This group allows you to post notices about changes of hours, curbside delivery, online shopping incentives, or any other factor that customers should be aware of during this time.
Help us spread awareness for our businesses by inviting friends and fellow business owners to join the group.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any information about current resources, and I will get it to you. We will be working to keep our membership updated and informed about the fluid situation regarding COVID-19, and the effects on our community!
Suzanne Babb
Executive Director
De Queen/Sevier County
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 67 - 315 W. Stilwell Ave.
De Queen, Arkansas 71832
870-584-3225
Cossatot Fire Department Annual Fish Fry & Auction Cancelled
After meeting with local Government Officials, Cossatot Volunteer Fire Department is POSTPONING our Annual Fish Fry/Fund raiser that was scheduled for March 28th. We feel that it is in the best interest of the community to do this. We will be monitoring and looking to re-schedule at a later date.
We are encouraging members to go ahead and mail their Annual Membership dues to:
Cossatot VFD
1930 Hwy 70 E
DeQueen, AR 71832
God Bless and Be Safe,
Archie Johnson
Cossatot VFD/ Fire Chief
Centers for Disease Control - Coronavirus Disease
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
From the City of Ashdown
Declaration Of Local State Of Emergency
City of Ashdown
250 North Second Street - P.O. Box 135 · Ashdown, Arkansas 71822
Phone (870) 898-2622 · Fax (870) 898-4322
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2020-=1
DECLARATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in 60 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19"); and
WHEREAS, Governor Asa Hutchinson issued Executive Order 20-03 on March 11, 2020 declaring a state of emergency for the State of Arkansas in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; and
WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Ashdown as well as the employees is of
the utmost importance.
NOW, THEREFORE, by the power vested in me as Mayor of the City of Ashdown, Arkansas, the following protocols are implemented until further notice.
1. All access to Ashdown City Hall is limited to essential personnel.
2. No one will be allowed to enter the city offices without an appointment.
3. Appointments can be made by contacting the office in question
4. Anyone needing to conduct business within city hall will be subject to screenings including
checking of temperature to see that it is below 99.6 degrees, and the individual does not
display any other outward symptoms of the virus.
5. We strongly encourage those needing to conduct business with offices within city hall, water
department, street department, sanitation department or city park to make every effort to
conduct their business via telephone, email, or fax.
6. Other measures may be implemented as needed to provide for the safety and welfare of the
city employees.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 18th day of March, 2020.
James Sutton
Mayor City of Ashdown
Notice from Little River County
Closed To Foot Traffic
By Order of the County Judge, the Little River County Courthouse is open by appointment ONLY. Please call the number of the office needed, from the list below, to discuss an appointment and an officer will assist you upon entry. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we appreciate your patience and understanding.
Office Phone Number
Assessor 870-898-7204
County Clerk 870-898-7209
Circuit Clerk 870-898-7212
Treasurer 870-898-7215
Collector 870-898-7217
District Clerk 870-898-7230
Veterans 870-898-7261
County Judge 870-898-7202
Sanitation 870-898-7276