DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Monday that COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to an additional 180,000 Arkansans as the state expands the 1-B category.
The Governor stated that the decision to expand the vaccines to include other groups was due in part to a less than expected turn out for mass vaccine clinics held recently around the state.
The vaccine is now available to:
- 65 years and older
- Education
- Police, fire, other first responders
- Corrections
- Food and Agriculture
- People with intellectual or developmental disabilities
- Essential Government
- Grocery Store/Meal Delivery
- Postal/Package Delivery Service
- Public Transit
- Houses of Worship
- Manufacturing
Food and agriculture includes anyone growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals from farms, ranches, or the animals’ natural habitats, as well as transforming livestock and agricultural products into products for intermediate or final consumption.
Houses of worship includes anyone operating religious organizations, such as churches, religious temples, and monasteries, and administering an organized religion or promoting religious activities. This does not include members of congregations.
The Governor also announced a state-wide call center. Persons struggling with the vaccination registration process can call 1-800-985-6030 to talk to a live person. While they can’t set up an appointment for vaccines at local pharmacies, they can assist callers in the process.
Locally vaccines are available at Mount Ida Pharmacy in Mount Ida, Bucks Pharmacy in Glenwood and Woodard’s Family Pharmacy in Glenwood.
Active case numbers have remained steady in Montgomery County with 12 Active COVID-19 cases being reported as of Monday afternoon. This includes 10 confirmed cases and two probable cases. There have been 10 new cases in the past seven days, increasing the cumulative total to 739 (540 confirmed, 199 probable). There have been 697 recoveries (509 confirmed, 188 probable). And 30 deaths (21 confirmed, 9 probable).
Statewide there have been 324,951 total cases (255,836 confirmed, 69,115 probable) and 316,000 recoveries. There are currently 3,593 active cases (2,657 confirmed, 936 probable) and 5,343 deaths (4,315 confirmed, 1,028 probable) Nursing Homes across the state have reported 2,0002 deaths.
Hot Spring County is reporting 149 active cases (98 confirmed, 51 probable) and 4,903 cumulative cases (4,418 confirmed, 485probable). They have 4,688 recoveries (4,261 confirmed, 427 probable) and 66 deaths (59 confirmed, 7 probable).
Garland County is reporting 132 active cases (110 confirmed, 22 probable) and 9,828 cumulative cases (8,263 confirmed, 1,565 probable). They have 9,462 recoveries (7,959 confirmed, 1,503 probable) and 234 deaths (194 confirmed, 40 probable).
Yell County is reporting 39 active cases (25 confirmed, 14 probable) and 3,387 cumulative cases (2,941 confirmed, 446 probable). They have 3,285 recoveries (2,866 confirmed, 419 probable) and 63 deaths (50 confirmed, 13 probable).
Clark County is reporting 35 active cases (29 confirmed, 6 probable) and 2,057 cumulative cases (1,685 confirmed, 372 probable). They have 1,984 recoveries (1,624 confirmed, 360 probable) and 38 deaths (32 confirmed, 6 probable).
Polk County is reporting 22 active cases (18 confirmed, 4 probable) and 1,914 cumulative cases (1,634 confirmed, 280 probable). They have 1,826 recoveries (1,563 confirmed, 263 probable) and 66 deaths (53 confirmed, 13 probable).
Pike County is reporting 20 active cases (19 confirmed, 1 probable) and 981 cumulative cases (754 confirmed, 227 probable). They have 939 recoveries (720 confirmed, 219 probable) and 22 deaths (15 confirmed, 7 probable).
Howard County is reporting 19 active cases (14 confirmed, 5 probable) and 1,605 cumulative cases (1,024 confirmed, 581 probable). They have 1,563 recoveries (990 confirmed, 573 probable) and 23 deaths (20 confirmed, 3 probable).
Scott County is reporting three active cases (2 confirmed, 1 probable) and 921 cumulative cases (600 confirmed, 321 probable). They have 904 recoveries (584 confirmed, 320 probable) and 14 deaths (14 confirmed, 0 probable).
