Virus numbers are climbing in county

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Miller County residents should keep wearing their protective masks and practice social distancing as the number of positive COVID-19 cases continue to climb, Joe Bennett, director of the Office of Emergency Management said Wednesday.

Miller County has experienced an notable increase in positive cases the past several days.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson spoke of the number of cases in rural counties trending upward when he visited the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana on Tuesday. He also announced a 60-day extension of his emergency order.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the positivity rate in Miller County is at 18%, which reflects the upward trend among rural counties.

The Arkansas State Correction Unit in Miller County has more cases, according to a news release. The average cumulative rate in the state is about 7.6%

As of Wednesday in Miller County, there have been 1,048 confirmed cases since March of this year with 13 deaths. The Miller County Judges Office and the Miller County Office of Emergency Management echoed the Governor’s concerns.

“Although Miller County does not have access to the total number of COVID tests performed within the county, we do receive information from ADH of positive cases to update our system of notification to first responders in order to keep them safe.” Bennett said. “There is a noticeable difference of how some citizens in our area are not practicing the safe and prescribed fundamentals of social distancing and wearing of protective masks like we should and did last month.”

He said to overcome this pandemic, everyone must do their part to protect themselves and others.

Miller County is significantly higher than the surrounding counties, too. Lafayette County is at 15.3%, Little River is at 12.3%, Howard is at 10% and Sevier and Hempstead counties are at 9.5%.

Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison said all Miller County citizens must continue to follow CDC guidelines for themselves and family, especially older family members who are most susceptible.

“If you feel the need to be tested, and that test is positive, take the situation seriously and follow the instructions of quarantine,” Harrison said.