Parks will move to a day-time only schedule starting Friday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Sec. of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Stacy Hurst announced during the daily press briefing Wednesday
Hurst said she and her office made the recommendation to the governor based on visitation data, observation on day-use from parks staff and the public, and best practices from other states.
“It is our desire to keep state parks open, but only where it’s safe and manageable to do so,” Hurst said.
Hurst said by eliminating overnight stays at parks, which is consistent with 28 other states, it will reduce the number of out-of-state visitors and increase measures to further limit overcrowding and risk of spreading COVID-19.
She also announced the Cedar Falls Trail at Petit Jean and the East and West Summit Trail at Pinnacle Mountain state parks will be closed until further notice.
Hurst said park rangers and other uniformed staff members will work to educate visitors on-site about the risks of spreading the virus. She also said some staff members throughout the state will be moved to other parks to better manage crowds and overcrowding.
She also said parks that have the ability to close gates to parking will do so when designated lots become full to avoid overcrowding. Those that park on highways, streets or other locations to get to the park will be issued a citation.
Hurst said all of the information will be available on the parks website. She also said if these measures aren’t enough, then she and her office will make further recommendations.
“This is a very fluid situation but we are staying on top of the data and the best practices across the country, and we’ll adjust as needed,” she said.
Hutchinson said he will recommend the closing of Buffalo National River through the novel coronavirus pandemic emergency, or until the state gets a handle on the virus, to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
Sec. of Health Dr. Nate Smith said the state has 584 positive cases of COVID-19, which is up 61 cases from Tuesday’s briefing. He said 18 of those cases are children 18 and younger, 170 are those 65 and older, and 396 are 18-64.
He said eight cases are pregnant women, 50 have diabetes, 40 have heart disease, 26 have chronic lung disease, 12 have chronic kidney disease, one has liver disease and 18 are immunocompromised.
Smith also said 84 of the cases are health care workers, which is an increase of five from Tuesday; 51 cases are residents in nursing homes or long-term facilities — two of which are at the Villages General Baptist in Pine Bluff and the other two from the Waters of White Hall — 42 people have recovered and there were two more deaths, totaling 10 for the state. Those who died were both 65 or older, and one had an underlying illness.
“We are very concerned about our nursing home population, they’re a very vulnerable population; long-term care facilities in general, but nursing homes in particular are places where COVID-19 is known to spread quickly,” Smith said. “We’re very happy we’ve not seen that kind of explosive spread in the nursing homes where we have positive cases, but it’s something we’re watching very carefully.”
Smith said Roche Diagnostics sent the Arkansas Department of Health additional reagents to be able to test all residents and employees at nursing homes with positive cases. He said the department received the reagents Wednesday morning and it’s enough to analyze 480 tests.
He said health care workers, those who are hospitalized, in nursing or long-term care facilities, symptomatic and 65 and older are priority tests for COVID-19. He also said physicians or health care providers who feel there’s a compelling reason for someone to get tested can also make that call, and he defers to their judgment.
According to KATV in Little Rock, state Rep. Reginald Murdock (D-Marianna) tested positive for the virus and results were announced Wednesday.
Smith and Hutchinson said they are confident the other representatives and members of the General Assembly are not at risk due to the social distancing precautions that were put in place during the special session.
Smith said he received a text from a friend asking what people can do during the pandemic to help, and he recommends Arkansans take care of themselves, check in with others as often as they can, and to work together to be able to get through the pandemic.
During the briefing, Hutchinson said he spoke with Vice President Mike Pence and his team who said they are impressed with how the state is working and operating to flatten the curve of predicted cases. He said he is not considering, nor did Pence recommend, a shelter in place order for the state.
LOCAL NUMBERS
According to the state department of health map, there are still eight cases of positive COVID-19 cases in Union County and 103 negative tests.
Parkers Chapel High School counselors announced via Facebook Wednesday due to the circumstances of the spring semester for seniors, the school will take advantage of permission granted by Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key to allow seniors to end their high school careers early.
“Seniors who are satisfied with their third nine weeks grades can use those third nine weeks grades as their second semester grades,” the post states. “Any students who would like more time to continue learning and have an opportunity to raise their semester averages may participate in the Extended Senior Session and work until Friday, April 24th.”
Those who want to end classes now or participate in an Extended Senior Session should email Mrs. Taylor by Friday.
Those taking concurrent credit classes must complete them through the end of the semester as deemed by colleges. College classes at PCHS are offered through the University of Arkansas - Monticello and will continue through April 27, according to the post. Online classes through South Arkansas Community College will end May 8, and Career Center classes end May 7.
The El Dorado School District announced via Facebook kindergarten registration for 2020-2021 has been postponed until school is back in session.
Smackover-Norphlet School District Superintendent Jason Black said in a video on the district’s website that there are meal opportunities for students in the district. He also said the district wants to provide support and structure during the pandemic.
“I understand these are adverse situations, we have challenges ahead of us,” Black said. “As a community, as a state and as a nation, I know that every time there’s an adverse situation, teams come together and people get through it together. I know that during this time and the strong community that we have, we’re going to come together and take care of each other and do whatever it takes to make sure we make it through as a team.”
Junction City School District - Northeast Claiborne Charter updates its community Wednesday with information regarding AMI (Alternate Method of Instruction) packets. Kindergarten through 3rd grade students will use the packets, which will be delivered with bus/meal distribution every Monday beginning April 6.
The previous week’s AMI packet must be returned the following Monday to receive the next packet. Children must be present at the bus stop to receive meals and exchange packets.
For 4th through 12th graders without WiFi, students will be given packets delivered with bus/meal distribution every Monday beginning April 6.
Those without computers but that have WiFi may check out a chromebook from their office — only one chromebook per household.
The Union County Public Library System announced on Twitter that the public libraries within the system will offer free WiFi access throughout the pandemic. The WiFi name is Public Library Guest and the password to connect is ucpl2018. The system has libraries in El Dorado, Junction City, Strong, Huttig, Smackover and Norphlet.