COVID-19 in Arkansas
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people around the world, including Arkansans. ACHI will provide updates and insights on this evolving public health crisis.
COVID-19: A Local View
The data in these tables and maps are provided to help inform local decision makers, including policymakers, school personnel and parents, about the impact of COVID-19 in their communities.
School District Level Data:
School District data consists of all residents in each school district. These maps and tables show the trends for new positive COVID-19 cases for school districts as of September 14. This information is based on data from the Arkansas Department of Health.
New cases are defined as a positive COVID-19 test during the measurement period of the previous 14 days.
Trend information is displayed as a 14-day new case rate per 10,000 residents for each school district. Rates are color-coded to provide an indication of risk level and are meant to help in making decisions in each community and school district.
Some districts may have missing rates because rates based on case counts of fewer than five are not displayed. However, the color of the associated risk level is displayed to provide an indication of trend and risk.
The Arkansas Department of Health’s Educational Institution Report, showing active and cumulative cases among staff, students, and teachers within school districts is included in our dashboard. The report includes positive results from both molecular and antigen tests and is displayed as an overlay on our case map.
Scientific evidence for when schools should reopen or close has not been developed. Use of data to provide information and inform decisions is critical, and we’ve taken one logical approach in doing so.
School district counts do not include cases among incarcerated populations or in nursing homes.
In partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education, ACHI is providing school district-level data based on the overall population of each school district. Resident populations for school districts are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey — Education Tabulation based on 2014‒2018 estimates. Locations of cases are based on reported addresses and geographic Arkansas school district boundaries.
Interpretation of these rates requires ensuring an adequate number of underlying tests are being performed. Currently, we are utilizing the test rates per county population in the previous 14 days to align with the numbers and rates of new cases per school district. The test rate per county information is current as of September 14. The county testing rates reflect the rates in the counties where the school districts are located. Geographic Arkansas school district information is provided by the Arkansas GIS Office.
Community and ZIP Code Level Data:
These maps and tables show cumulative and new positive COVID-19 cases in Arkansas communities and ZIP codes as of September 14, based on data from the Arkansas Department of Health. Community trend information is displayed as a 14-day new case rate per 10,000 residents for each community. Rates are color-coded to provide an indication of risk level and are meant to help in making decisions in each community and school district. The counts do not include cases among incarcerated populations.
Community and ZIP code level rates of positive COVID-19 cases are based on the numbers of new or cumulative cases in ZIP codes associated with each community and the total populations reported for those ZIP codes. ZIP code and city associations are designated by the U.S. Postal Service, and ZIP code population estimates are from the U.S. Census Bureau 2018 American Communities Survey. Click here to view ZIP code assignments for cities.
We currently plan to update this information weekly.
- Communities with fewer than 10 cumulative cases are listed here.
COVID-19 PSA
Dr. Joe Thompson, president and CEO of ACHI, provides a public service announcement regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded June 24.
Actualizaciones de Covid-19 de ACHI en español
Drs. Joe Thompson y Eduardo Ochoa brindan una actualización sobre COVID-19
From Our Blog
Death Reporting: How It Works, Why It Matters During COVID-19, Opioid Crises
Our new explainer looks at the process of death reporting and related public health issues. Read More.
On July 14, the CDC posted a report on a hair salon in Springfield, Mo., where two stylists served a total of 139 clients between developing respiratory symptoms and testing positive for COVID-19. All involved wore face coverings, and no clients were known to be infected. The report shows how effective face coverings can be in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
What Cities and Towns Should Know During the COVID-19 Pandemic
ACHI and the Arkansas Municipal League hosted a video call on September 10, 2020, to discuss what cities, towns, and other state municipalities should know about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immunology 101
This video provides a quick glance at the immune system as it attempts to fight off the coronavirus.
ACHI BOARD PROPOSES FIVE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
Recommendations Include Mask Requirement in Shared Spaces
The ACHI Health Policy Board’s position is that employers have an obligation to help achieve control of the COVID-19 pandemic, protect individuals, and minimize economic hardships in the state. All entities subject to the Arkansas Department of Health’s public health directives — including business-specific directives such as those for gyms, bars, and restaurants and general directives such as those for all businesses, manufacturers, and construction companies — should comply with those directives at a minimum. In addition, all public, private, and nonprofit entities that are not otherwise subject to a business-specific directive should adopt the following additional reasonable precautions in an effort to protect themselves from potential liability and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 from customers and visitors to others including their own employees:
- Require employees, customers, and visitors to wear face coverings in shared spaces while inside;
- Screen all employees for potential COVID-19 exposure and symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell as they are entering the facility at the beginning of work;
- Make verbal announcements and post signage including signs for non-English speakers that encourage proper face covering placement, hand hygiene, and coughing and sneezing etiquette;
- Establish and make available to the public written COVID-19 protocols for protection of employees, customers, and visitors; and
- Regularly monitor and assess compliance for necessary changes to existing practices based on available peer-reviewed evidence and public health guidance.
COVID-19 TESTING
Testing Types, Recent Developments, and Policy Considerations
An important element of the response to the global COVID-19 pandemic is the development and implementation of testing. Our new explainer provides information on the types of testing used to identify COVID-19, recent testing developments, and policy considerations.
Key takeaways:
- Testing for COVID-19 can be grouped into two categories: molecular tests, to determine whether an individual is currently infected, and serological tests, to determine whether an individual is currently or has previously been infected. Serological tests can also sometimes determine whether an individual is immune.
- To promote rapid expansion of testing capacity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given states permission to develop and use tests that have not been submitted to or approved by the agency.
- The FDA also has given commercial test developers permission to market molecular tests without FDA authorization and has issued emergency use authorizations for a few serological tests.
- Initially, the Arkansas Department of Health limited testing to Arkansans with possible high-risk exposure to COVID-19, but on April 15, 2020, the department relaxed testing criteria to include individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, if a provider has adequate testing supplies.
- Progress has been made in expanding testing capability in Arkansas, but to date, testing in the state is still inadequate to determine how many Arkansans are infected with the virus.
Defining COVID-19 Terms
We have launched a series of blog posts explaining key terms and phrases used by public health officials in discussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ventilator
Mechanical ventilators are machines that help to move air in and out of the lungs of patients with severe lung issues. Read More
Asymptomatic Transmission
In relation to COVID-19, an individual who is asymptomatic is infected with the new strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 but does not show symptoms of the disease for the duration of the infection. Read More
Doubling Rate
The doubling rate represents the number of days it takes for the number of COVID-19 cases to double, an indicator of how quickly cases are increasing. Read More.
On May 19, the CDC posted a report on a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred among members of an Arkansas church in March. At least 35 of 92 people who attended church gatherings with two symptomatic people acquired the illness, and three of them died. The church gatherings also were linked to 26 additional cases in the community, including one death.
On May 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted a report on a COVID-19 outbreak in Washington state. Among people who attended a March choir practice with one infected person, 87% developed the illness, according to the report.
In partnership with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, ACHI is participating in weekly video calls to update business leaders from across the state on COVID-19 and address their questions. Watch the video above for the September 3 update.
Special thank you to Waymack and Crew for providing space and equipment for hosting the call.
ARKANSAS DECISION POINTS FOR REOPENING
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health have made a series of announcements regarding the lifting of some restrictions and guidelines intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. The White House has provided guidelines for the phased reopening of states, although states are not bound by them.
Reopening decisions announced to date include:
- Certain restrictions lifted on elective medical procedures, effective April 27.
- Resumption of elective dental services, with restrictions, effective May 11.
- Resumption of overnight camping at state parks, with restrictions, effective May 1.
- Reopening of certain facilities at state parks, including visitor centers, gift shops, golf pro shops, restaurants, museums, marinas, equipment rental shops, cabins, and lodges, effective May 15.
- Resumption of limited dine-in operations at restaurants, effective May 11.
- Resumption of limited activities at gyms and fitness centers, effective May 4.
- Resumption of limited in-person operations at barber shops, body art establishments, body art schools, cosmetology establishments, massage therapy clinics/spas, and medical spas, effective May 6.
- Reopening of large outdoor venues for limited activities, effective May 4.
- Relaxed guidance issued for places of worship, effective May 4.
- Reopening of large indoor venues for limited activities, effective May 18.
- Reopening of casinos for limited operations, effective May 18.
- Further lifting of restrictions on elective medical procedures, effective May 11.
- Reopening of recreational pools for limited activities, effective May 22.
- Reopening of bars inside restaurants for limited operations, effective May 19.
- Reopening of freestanding bars for limited operations, effective May 26.
- Permission for summer camps to operate, with restrictions, effective May 21.
- Restrictions on elective medical procedures loosened a third time, effective May 25.
- Permission for some community- and school-sponsored team sports to operate, with restrictions, effective June 1.
- Further lifting of restrictions on elective dental services, effective June 15 and revised June 22.
- Further lifting of restrictions on large outdoor venues, effective June 15.
- Further lifting of restrictions on large indoor venues, effective June 15.
- Further lifting of restrictions on barber shops, body art establishments, body art schools, cosmetology establishments, massage therapy clinics/spas, and medical spas, effective June 15.
- Further lifting of restrictions on bars and clubs, effective June 15.
- Further lifting of restrictions on restaurant dine-in operations, effective June 15.
- Loosening of restrictions applicable to all businesses, effective June 15.
- Further lifting of restrictions on gyms and fitness centers, effective June 15.
- Further lifting of restrictions on casinos, effective June 15.
- Requirement for testing in advance of elective medical procedures rescinded, effective Aug. 1.
- Community- and school-sponsored music and theater allowed, with restrictions, effective Aug. 5.
- Additional community- and school-sponsored team sports allowed, with restrictions, effective Aug. 21.
- Further lifting of restrictions on restaurant dine-in operations, effective Sept. 9.
Helpful Links and Numbers:
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is tracking statewide cases, and more information can be found here.
The White House has issued guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19.
The CDC posts regular online updates with latest guidelines and information on COVID-19.
COVID-19 Hotlines and Screening Information:
ADH: During normal business hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), urgent and non-urgent calls, please dial 1-800-803-7847 or email ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov. After normal business hours and weekend calls, needing immediate response, please call 1-800-554-5738.
UAMS: Click here for screening information, including drive-thru screenings and phone screenings. Their COVID-19 Hotline is 1-800-632-4502.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH): For children younger than 18 years old, call 1-800-743-3616. Nursing staff will be available for questions and phone screenings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Click here for more information from ACH.