COVID-19 Update 3-13-20 #2

A press conference was held Thursday 3-13-20 at 1:30 pm by Governor Asa Hutchinson.  Based the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control it is NOT recommend to close schools unless a case of the virus has been confirmed in that community.  The Governor has faith that the people of Arkansas will use good judgement in these matters and follow the protocol recommended by the CDC. 

Johnny Key, Commissioner of Education says that based on CDC guidance, schools are the safest place for students to be unless they have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in their community.  He said, It would not be prudent to interrupt the educational process where some students are receiving services in addition to education such as meals and mental health services that they depend on daily.  Therefore, the focus is on keeping schools open at this time.

The total presumptive positive cases in Arkansas as of  (3-13-20) is up to 9 and all of those cases are in the Little Rock area.