By Ray King

Governor Asa Hutchinson on Thursday said that he would like to see medical facilities be able to go back and do elective surgeries when conditions improve.

Speaking at his daily press conference regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor said that his directive barring elective surgeries except in the cases where a life was in jeopardy was issued because of the concern that hospitals would need additional beds to deal with victims of the virus but because hospitalizations have been running far below the numbers projected, a lot of hospitals are idle and have available beds.

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As far as lifting restrictions on other businesses, Hutchinson said the state would take that one step at a time and said he and other governors were to have a telephone conversation with President Donald Trump and federal officials Thursday afternoon to hear what they suggest in reopening the country.

“I don’t believe Arkansas is closed down,” Hutchinson said. “We’re in a good position and we will look at what comes from the White House.”

On Thursday, 1,620 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state, that’s 51 more than on Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Nate Smith said 1,035 of those cases are active and there have been 548 people who have recovered.

Four additional deaths were reported, bringing the total to 37. Of those, two were under the age of 65 and the other two were over 65 and Smith said all of them had underlying medical issues. A total of 223 health care workers tested positive, that’s eight more than on Wednesday, and Smith said 81 of them have recovered.

He said there have been 118 positive tests for COVID-19 in 28 nursing homes in the state, that’s 15 more than on Wednesday. Smith had no updated figures from the Federal Correctional Institute at Forrest City, the Central Arkansas Correctional Facility or Cummins Prison.

Both the Governor and Smith said that while the number of reported cases in the state is leveling off, as are the number of people being hospitalized, “It’s way too early for a victory lap. We’ve got to start planning ahead for after the peak.”

“I’m proud of Arkansans for following the guidance,” Smith said. “Keep up the good work. We want to do as well at the end as we did at the beginning.”

Asked if there were restrictions that might have to stay in place, even after the state and nation return to a semi-normal state, the Governor said he was waiting to hear from his medical advisory board. “We have to look at this long term. Not just one battle but this is a war we might be fighting way into next year.”

Smith said COVID-19 is “a virus. We don’t have a vaccine and we don’t have an effective treatment right now. I hope we are able to repeal all the directives but we have to wait and see.”

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