We are continuing to track the latest headlines and updates regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas.
All cases are confirmed through the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
Live updates:
April 14 4:40 p.m. - Despite President Donald Trump's assertions that the president has total control over the states, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson says the call on how to lift the state's restrictions because of the coronavirus will remain with the state.
April 14 2:05 p.m. - Gov. Hutchinson: No problems with golf courses being open if they observe guidelines (one person per cart; social distancing on course; closed restaurants and bars, etc.)
April 14 1:55 p.m. - Dr. Nate Smith: The prison population makes up 10% of total cases.
April 14 1:52 p.m. - Governor issues two new executive orders:
- First responders and front line healthcare workers can use COVID-19 to file a worker's comp claim.
- Liability immunity, medical emergency responders, prevents them from being sued.
April 14 1:50 p.m. - Dr. Nate Smith gives a break down of the number of coronavirus cases:
- 1,024 active cases
- No new counties
- 29 on ventilators
- 444 recoveries, 53 more than yesterday
- 65 health care workers who have recovered out of the 206 diagnosed.
April 14 1:40 p.m. - State is using highway signs at borders to tell motorists no recreational lodging is permitted in Arkansas for out-of-state travelers.
April 14 1:35 p.m. - Gov. Hutchinson gives an update on COVID-19 numbers in the state:
- 1,498 cases
- Two additional deaths, 32 total
- 81 hospitalized
- Cummins prison: no new positive cases. Outbreak confined to one barrack.
- Plateau continues for hospitalizations in Arkansas
April 14 10:33 a.m. - Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced he will provide an update to the response to the coronavirus in Arkansas at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Little Rock.
April 14 10:26 a.m. - The Arkansas Department of Health and Oklahoma State Health Department is reporting 20 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas.
April 13 7:55 p.m. - There are now 1,475 positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas. 427 people have recovered and 21,014 people have been tested.
April 13 5:12 p.m. - The NWA COVID-19 Task Force announced that the COVID-19 drive-through testing facility in Bentonville will open to anyone experiencing symptoms of the virus.
April 13 2:00 p.m. - Dr. Smith: Of those discharged from hospital, the average length of hospital stay for COVID-19 patients is six days. It tends to be more like two weeks if the patient requires a ventilator.
April 13 1:50 p.m. - Arkansas Health Secretary Dr. Nate Smith: 27 staff, 5 of 15 inmates test positive for COVID-19 at Little Rock Community Corrections.
April 13 1:45 p.m. - “98 of our cases are from a shelter in place environment,” Hutchinson said regarding the outbreak in Arkansas correctional facilities.
April 13 1:40 p.m. - Gov. Hutchinson update on COVID-19
- 1,410 cases
- 989 active cases
- 74 hospitalized
- 28 on ventilators
- 30 deaths, one new death since yesterday.
- 130 new cases; situation in Federal Corrections in Forrest City, 55 positives.
- Cummins State Prison outbreak has 43 positive.
April 13 9:32 a.m. - Following a break over Easter weekend, Gov. Asa Hutchinson will provide a daily update on the response to the coronavirus at 1:30 p.m. in Little Rock.
April 13 8:50 a.m. - The Arkansas Department of Health is reporting 1,398 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, with nearly 20,000 Arkansans tested.
How to file for unemployment | Coronavirus symptoms | How to get screened for COVID-19 in NWA & River Valley | Local businesses offering pickup, delivery|
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
I’m on social security. Do I need to file a tax return to receive my benefits?
No. If an individual has not filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019, the government will use an individual's 2019 SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement or 2019 RRB-1099 Railroad Retirement Benefit Statement to advance payments to individuals who receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits. All Social Security beneficiaries-retired workers, disabled workers, eligible family members, and survivors-receive a Form SSA-1099. However, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are not provided a Form SSA-1099. SSI recipients who also receive Social Security benefits will be automatically forwarded a payment. SSI recipients who do not receive Social Security benefits will need to file a 2019 tax return to receive a payment if they are otherwise eligible. If an individual started receiving Social Security payments in 2020, they will need to file a 2019 tax return to be eligible. Adults who are claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return are not eligible for a payment.
What do I need to do about my federal student loans?
Federal student loan borrowers do not need to take any action to suspend payments. Your federal student loan servicer will suspend all payments without any action from you. You do not need to contact your student loan servicer. While federal student loan payments are suspended, the loans shall not accrue any interest and the month of a suspended loan payment will be treated as if a loan had been made for purposes of loan forgiveness and loan rehabilitation. The suspension period will result in no negative credit reporting and also involuntary collection of the loan will be suspended—no wage garnishments, tax intercepts, offset of federal benefits, or any other collection activity. These protections do not apply to borrowers with Perkins Loans and borrowers whose FFEL loans are held by banks or guaranty agencies. If you have a Perkins Loan or an FFEL loan that is privately owned, you should contact your loan servicer to explore options they may be offering.
When will I get my check and how much will it be?
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said he expects most people to get their payments within approximately three weeks.
For Individual Filers: Americans who file their taxes as individuals will receive up to $1,200 in assistance. If your income was less than $75,000 in 2019, you will receive the full amount of $1,200. For those making above $75,000, reduced checks on a sliding scale will be paid. For every $100 you make over $75,000, your assistance will be reduced by $5.
For Married Couples Filing Jointly: Americans who file taxes jointly will receive up to $2,400 plus $500 for every dependent under the age of 17. If your joint income was less than $150,000 in 2019, you will receive the full amount of $2,400 plus $500 for every dependent under 17. For couples making above $150,000, reduced checks on a sliding scale will be paid. For every $100 you make over $150,000, your assistance will be reduced by $5.
I just lost my job. What are my options in terms of unemployment benefits?
Congress recently passed a new program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance which will make certain Arkansans who lost their jobs due to the public health emergency are eligible for unemployment insurance, provided an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance, and provided an additional $600/week in unemployment insurance through July 31. Arkansas normally offers 16 weeks of unemployment insurance; because of the new program, Arkansans will be eligible for a total of 29 weeks.
Individuals Eligible for Normal Unemployment Insurance: Unemployed workers who are eligible for traditional unemployment insurance will receive their normal income-based payment plus $600 a week until July 31st. If an individual is still unemployed after July 31, their payment will revert down to the traditional payment they would have received before the crisis.
Individuals Newly Eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Unemployed workers who wouldn’t typically qualify for unemployment benefits but are now unemployed as a result of the pandemic will receive $600 a week plus an amount that the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services determines until July 31. After July 31, their payments will revert down to the amount that ADWS determines. Self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and “gig economy” employees will all be covered. However, to qualify, an individual must have lost their job or income due to the virus, tested positive or exhibited symptoms of the virus, or be caring for a member of your household or family who has been diagnosed with the virus.
Individuals who have had their hours cut: Arkansas offers partial unemployment benefits to certain individuals who have had their hours cut. Please contact the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services to determine if you are eligible.
You can find more information on Senator Cotton’s website, here.