Arkansas lawmakers to meet again amid outbreak,

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers will meet as planned for this year's legislative session amid the coronavirus outbreak, legislative leaders said Friday following two members testing positive for the virus.

Health officials said the number of coronavirus cases in Arkansas increased to at least 704 from 643 on Thursday. Twelve people in the state have died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

Session Still On

Legislative leaders said they will convene as planned Wednesday for this year's session focused on the budget, but aim to end their work by April 18.

House and Senate leaders said health officials told them effectively delaying the session's start, an idea that had been floated, would have posed a higher risk with the outbreak expected to peak in the state by late April or May.

“We’re doing everything we can to get it done prior to that," Senate President Jim Hendren said.

The move comes days after two members of the House tested positive for the coronavirus.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Hendren and House Speaker Matthew Shepherd said both chambers will follow the same social distancing restrictions they did during a marathon special session last week, with the House meeting again in a 5,600-seat basketball arena.

The Senate will continue meeting at the Capitol, but will limit the number of members on the floor.

Both chambers are allowing members to vote remotely. Hendren said his chamber is also working on ways for its members to speak or ask questions remotely.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he would deliver a State of the State address on the first day of the session from the Senate that will be broadcast to House members in the arena.

Police Officer Infected

The Little Rock Police Department said an officer has tested positive for coronavirus.

The department said on Twitter said the officer had self-quarantined more than a week ago after the potential exposure. The department did not say when the officer was tested.

The Arkansas DemocratGazette reported Thursday that three Little Rock Fire Department employees have tested positive.