·       The Governor signed an Executive Order today to create a working group focused on testing capacity in the state. He said Arkansas’s ability to conduct adequate diagnostic and surveillance testing will affect the state’s public-health strategy and economic-recovery efforts after Arkansas reaches its peak number of COVID-19 cases. The working group will include senior representatives of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Baptist Health of Arkansas, and Arkansas Children’s. These leaders will examine the state’s supply of testing equipment and make recommendations to maintain adequate testing capabilities and conduct surveillance testing across the state.

·       The Economic Recovery Task Force has created committees to explore sectors of the economy such as tourism, commerce, agriculture and education. The task force is expected to release its initial recommendations by May 4.

·       Of the 304 new cases added to today’s total, 262 are inmates at the Cummins prison. As of last night, 670 inmates and 10 staff have tested positive. While results are still coming in, the health department has finished testing inmates. Testing for staff continues.

2020 Covid-19_infographic_2020-04-21.pdf