LITTLE ROCK – At his weekly news briefing today, Governor Asa Hutchinson said that the state should be prepared for potential winter weather that may start late Wednesday into Thursday.

In preparation, the Governor announced he will be prepositioning eight national guard teams around the state for the winter response. 

In addition, the Governor signed an Executive Order that will allocate $250,000 in anticipation of recovery efforts.

“I encourage everyone to look at travel plans and minimize those if there is an ice event,” Governor Hutchinson said, “Be prepared and have a basic emergency supply kit along with a family emergency plan.”

COVID-19

Governor Hutchinson presented the COVID-19 report for Tuesday with 4,637 new cases in the last 24 hours. Active cases are down 5,914 and there were 39 deaths due to COVID-19.

The Governor noted he was grateful to the General Assembly for approving funding to allow UAMS to open 27 beds for COVID-19 patients and 10 additional beds available through the VA system.

Vaccinations reported today were low with 3,988 doses given in the last 24 hours.

Hospitalizations have decreased by four over the last 24 hours with patients on ventilators decreasing by eight.

The Rockefeller Foundation has launched Project ACT, which is a public-private partnership. The project will deliver 1.1 million tests to residents in Arkansas, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, and Ohio.

The tests can be ordered HERE.

“We have our short-term solution which is the test we have made available, the national website, but this is an additional resource to continue our emphasis on the availability of testing,” Governor Hutchinson said.

Secretary of Health Jose Romero said that Arkansas has a sufficient number of antivirals available for use as an antiviral agent to help high-risk individuals with COVID-19.

Secretary of Education Johnny Key noted that the Department of Education will be setting aside $300,000 to help streamline the process for background checks for substitute teachers.

You can watch the full briefing HERE.

You can view the slide presentation from today’s briefing HERE.

CONTACT: Press Shop ([email protected])