Governor Asa Hutchinson held a Community Covid Town Hall meeting at the Dumas Community Center Tuesday Morning July 27, 2021.
The Governor recognized Cheryl Stimson and Dumas Family Pharmacy for their work in administering 5,800 Covid vaccination as of July 26. Dumas reached Arkansas's 50 percent goal of people receiving vaccinations, but Arkansas is still below the national rate. Desha County is currently number here with Number here.
Governor Hutchinson reported that on June 7, 2021 Arkansas had 1,600 active cases with 175 hospitalized. As of July 6, 2021, there are 14,600 active cases with 980 hospitalized due to the Delta Variant. Dr. Jose Romero, Secretary of Health, said 97 percent of cases are from people who are currently unvaccinated.
With school quickly approaching, the governor said the best way to get everyone ready for school is for everyone to get vaccinated. Governor Hutchinson said they recommend children 12 and under to wear a mask. Wearing a mask and their families receiving the vaccine will help lower the risk for 12 and under children. The law currently prohibits the state from making mask wearing mandatory.
Dumas School District Superintendent Kelvin Gragg said the DSD has invested in to upgrade the school HVAC systems to better improve circulation; installed water station in hallways for students; provided money for teacher for additional duty, and other safety measures to keep students safe.
Hutchinson and Dr. Romero answered questions from the audience concerning the hesitation to get the vaccine; where to get information about Covid-19 virus and the vaccine; how schools are preparing for the new school year, and ways to spread the word about the benefit of getting the vaccine.
Over 70 people attended the event including mayors from Southeast Arkansas, county, city and state elected officials, health care professionals, educators, broadcast and print media and members of the community.
