Governor Hutchinson And The Winter Covid Task Force Deliver Alarming News Concerning Hospitals In Northeast Arkansas
Governor Hutchinson today gave a briefing concerning the status of hospitals across the state. Northeast Arkansas hospitals showed that 18.13% of hospital beds were currently occupied by COVID-19 patients, the highest percentage in the state. He also stated that 62.96% of the ventilators in Northeast Arkansas were currently in use, again the highest percentage in the state.
Governor Hutchinson today announced 2061 new Covid cases and 24 additional deaths. The ADH currently reports 17,360 active cases and 2,321 deaths to date.
935 patients are currently hospitalized with 152 currently on ventilators.
Craighead County ranked 4th today with new cases reporting more than 100 over the last 24 hours.
A record 24 period of testing was reported with results of over 18,000.
The reports from members of the governor’s Winter Covid Task Force stated that the state currently has more than a 60 day supply of PPE on hand. Also new guidelines on caregivers returning to work after infections will be released this afternoon by the task force to hospitals and nursing facilities. Hospitals are experiencing a shortage of doctors, nurses and essential staff, UAMS currently has over 400 employees quarantined at the present time according to the task force.
The task force also stated they are currently considering using the Arkansas Trauma System, this system helps direct patients to facilities that have ample equipment, staffing and availability.
Dr. Jose Romero recognized new CDC guidelines that strongly discourage travel over the Thanksgiving holiday and ask that you limit gatherings to less than 10 people.
Dr. Romero also warned of removing nursing home patients from facilities over the holiday and bringing them into your home saying this is an added risk to those most vulnerable to the disease. He stated that some patients must be quarantined before returning to the facilities.
