A local nursing home has reported two COVID-19 cases in staff members in the last 14 days, and Union County's seven-day positivity rate remained above 10% in the period between Saturday, July 24, and Saturday, July 31.
According to a report from the Arkansas Department of Health on COVID-19 cases in nursing homes, Hudson Memorial Nursing Home has reported two staff cases in the last 14 days, with the most recent positive case reported on July 19.
Since last Saturday, 74 COVID-19 cases have been identified in Union County, and one local resident has died as a result of the virus.
However, the number of local residents getting vaccinated has also sped up in the past week, with 941 doses administered since last Saturday, compared to only 587 doses administered in the seven-day period from Friday, July 16, to Friday, July 23.
Statewide, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported in the last week was 12,124. Active cases had risen to above 18,000 by Saturday, back to January 2021 levels.
Also, 93 Arkansans lost their lives to the virus last week.
Hospitalizations surpassed 1,100 on Saturday, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson said during a press conference on COVID-19 Thursday that more than 20 children diagnosed with the virus were being cared for at Arkansas Children's Hospital, including five in the ICU.
Hutchinson also announced Thursday that he had reinstated a State of Emergency in Arkansas regarding COVID-19, and would be reaching out to other states for health care workers, as well as the White House for assistance creating surge capacity in hospitals in the state.
He also said he would be asking the ADH to "take the steps necessary to ease" health care licensure requirements in order to allow retired health care professionals and people newly entering the field to get to work sooner.
Statewide, 63,248 vaccine doses were administered last week and 15,710 Arkansans reached the status of fully immunized against the virus.
New guidance
The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) last week released updated guidance on COVID-19, suggesting that everyone, including those who have been vaccinated against the virus, wear masks indoors in states where cases are surging, such as Arkansas. The agency also recommended indoor masking for teachers, students, visitors and other staff at schools across the country, regardless of vaccination status.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said vaccinated people "have the potential to spread that virus to others," and acknowledged that many Americans are weary of the pandemic and do not want to return to prevention measures; however, she said, new scientific information forced the decision to change the guidance again.
The ADH and Arkansas Department of Education last week also released guidance for the state's public schools regarding the virus, including appropriate masking; physical distancing; screening and testing for illness; adequate room ventilation; hand-washing; respiratory etiquette; cleaning and disinfection; and staying home when sick.
"While adolescents over 12 years of age and adults can be protected from the Delta variant by the COVID-19 vaccines, children under 12 remain at high risk. Children represent an increasing proportion of new COVID-19 cases, including hospitalizations and severe disease," the updated guidelines state. "In light of the spread of this more transmissible variant (and potential future strains), ADH and ADE urge schools to maintain as many mitigation measures as possible, or risk increased spread within the school setting."
Currently, public schools in Arkansas are barred from mandating that students and staff wear masks on school campuses due to Act 1002, a state law that went into effect last week that disallows local government entities, including public schools, from mandating masks on their premises.
Hutchinson said Thursday he planned to call a special legislative session in the upcoming week to give state lawmakers the opportunity to reconsider the ban as it applies to schools.
Testing and vaccines
COVID-19 testing is available in several locations in Union County. According to the ADH, one can be tested for the virus at SAMA, at 600 S. Timberlane in El Dorado; Medical Center of South Arkansas, at 700 W. Grove in El Dorado; the Union County Local Health Unit, at 301 American Rd. in El Dorado; and the Strong Clinic, at 253 S. Concord in Strong.
Vaccination is also available in Union County at several locations in El Dorado.
Vaccines are free to all and one does not need to have health insurance to be vaccinated.
Three COVID-19 vaccines developed by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have been approved for use in the United States. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use in people as young as 12 years old, while the latter two are approved for use in anyone over the age of 18.
In Union County, COVID vaccines are available at Melvin's Discount Pharmacy, Walmart and the Union County Local Health Unit. To set a vaccination appointment at Melvin's, call 870-863-4155; for Walmart, visit walmart.com/COVID; and for the Local Health Unit, call 1-800-985-6030.