State Medical Professionals Weigh In on Pandemic

As the known positive cases of COVID-19 jumped to 62 Thursday, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced new measures to limit what he said was "increasing community spread" of the illness. Those includes closing schools for in-person instruction until April 17 and closing restaurants and bars across the state for dine-in service. Carryout, curbside pickup and delivery will be allowed to continue.

Community Clinic has opened four coronavirus testing and treatment sites in Northwest Arkansas, but CEO Judd Semingson says anyone who is concerned they might have COVID-19 needs to call 1-855-438-2280 before showing up at a site. The sites are located at the Wellness Center at Elmdale Elementary in Springdale, the Prairie Grove School-Based Health Center and the Community Clinics in Rogers and Siloam Springs.

The campus at John Brown University grew quiet this week after Dr. Charles "Chip" Pollard, the president of the school, announced all students had to move out of the residence halls by Monday at 5 p.m. The University of Arkansas also announced this week that students will have to be moved out of university-run housing by April 3.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Arkansas went up from 22 to 33 on Wednesday, including the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Northwest Arkansas. The patient is located in Fayetteville. Both Governor Asa Hutchinson and Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan both held media conferences today.

A special Fayetteville City Council meeting was held late Monday to approve three key emergency measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic – the first municipality in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley to take such action.