What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
For confirmed COVID-19 infections, reported illnesses have ranged from people being mildly sick to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS viruses.
Coronavirus: What to know
How to get assistance with financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 emergency?
RELATED: First National Bank of Fort Smith offers relief to customers to ease financial burdens of COVID-19
What's closed because of COVID-19?
Restaurants and Organizations providing free lunch to students during COVID-19 school closures:
RELATED: Restaurants and groups providing lunch to kids while schools are closed; List will be updated
How are local hospitals responding to COVID-19?
How are local courts responding to COVID-19?
How are businesses responding to COVID-19?
- AMC closes theaters for six-to-12 weeks.
- Malco Theatres temporarily closing all locations due to coronavirus.
- New regulations placed on bars and restaurants in Fayetteville to combat coronavirus.
- Walmart's allowing Home Office employees to work from home among coronavirus concerns.
- Walmart addresses sick leave after an employee test positive for coronavirus.
- Walmart announces international travel restrictions due to coronavirus concerns
- Cox Communications is increasing internet speeds, offering free technical support, and implementing additional resources to its low-income service for those in greatest need.
- Tyson suspends international travel due to the threat of coronavirus.
- Harps Food Stores is offering Free Home Delivery for customers that are considered as at risk during the COVID-19 health crisis. Fill up your virtual shopping cart at shop.harpsfood.com or by downloading the Instacart app on any iOS or Android device.
*Valid through 3/31/20; Minimum $35 purchase; Delivery subject to availability; Available only at participating Harps locations; Taxes, other fees, and/or tips may apply.
How are local universities responding to COVID-19?
- UAFS extends spring break for one week to help negate the spread of coronavirus.
- The University of Arkansas will be suspending in-person classes and will begin online course delivery starting on March 16.
- Arkansas Tech is ending in-person classes due to coronavirus.
- NWACC has suspended in-person classes due to coronavirus threat.
- The University of Arkansas is suspending all university-sponsored out-of-state travel – both domestic and international – for 60 days.
How are local schools responding to COVID-19?
- Governor Asa Hutchinson has authorized each school district to close school for on-site instruction through the end of this week (March 16-20). Classes will resume after spring break which is March 23-2.
- Restaurants and groups providing lunch to kids while schools are closed.
- Haas Hall Academy cancels classes until the end of March.
- Fort Smith Public Schools canceling all field trips and after-school activities scheduled through March 30.
- Several public schools are still providing meals to children while campuses are closed.
- Arkansas high school seniors in good standing are considered to have met graduation requirements
How is XNA responding to COVID-19?
VERIFY: Debunking online rumors about coronavirus.
- Text messages about national quarantine and 'Stafford Act' are fake.
- You can still get COVID-19 if you have the flu.
- VERIFY: What does it mean for a disease to be a pandemic?
- You will not get tested for the coronavirus when donating blood
- Hand sanitizer should be used for about 20 seconds, not three to four minutes.
- Hand sanitizer can protect against coronavirus, but not as well as washing your hands.
- Lysol can help stop the spread of new coronavirus strain.
- Viral 'coronavirus vs SARS/Ebola/swine flu' graph is accurate, but leaves out context.
Resources you can use to stay up-to-date on the coronavirus in Arkansas.
The ADH has a webpage with updates to the number of confirmed cases, and those being tested in the state.
ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus. During normal business hours (8:00am – 4:30pm), 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.
Governor Asa Hutchison has provided updates about how the state is combating the disease on his YouTube page.
5NEWS will continue to update this story with relevant information.