Governor promotes vaccinations
‘Listening tour’ aims to dispel misconceptions regarding shots
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero visited the Forrest City Civic Center Tuesday to answer questions and address concerns in the region as the numbers of Covid cases are increasing across the state.
Hutchinson stressed the importance of getting vaccinated, offering statistics regarding the rise in Covid cases and information about the new Covid strain.
"We have seen a significant increase in daily Covid cases and hospitalizations," said Hutchinson. "On June 7, a little over a month ago, Arkansas had 1,594 active cases."
Hutchinson said one month later, the state is reporting 6,605 cases Hutchinson told residents that cases increased from 62 new cases daily in June to 1,155 daily this month.
“We've had an additional 1,200 cases today with scores of hospitalizations," said Hutchinson of the increasing numbers.
Hutchinson explained that the best form of protection against the virus is vaccinations.
In St. Francis County, Hutchinson reported a 36.5% vaccination rate for Forrest City and a 29.2% vaccination rate for the county. For Lee County, the vaccination rate was reported at 44.6% in Marianna and 25.9% for Lee County.
"So you can see the work we have to do," said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson attributed the surge in cases partly to the new Delta variant.
"It is more transmissible than the original virus; it is transmitted more easily," Hutchinson said, while also adding that those who contract the Delta variant are more likely to be hospitalized.
"They are two times more likely to be sent to the hospital," said Hutchinson. “Think about the friends and family who might have gotten Covid last year and were not really bothered by having it. That might not hold true with this new variant. It is twice as likely to get you in a hospital."
Hutchinson said that nationwide, over 50% of new Covid cases are from the Delta variant and it is currently the dominant strain in Arkansas .
He explained the virus began in India, mutated, entered the states and was bleeding through to Arkansas, mostly through Missouri.
"We can compare our vaccination records with what is happening nationwide," Hutchinson said of the state’s low vaccination rates.
According to Hutchinson, only 35% of Arkansans are fully vaccinated.
"The low vaccination rate makes it easier for the Delta variant to move through our society," said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson said that states with high vaccination rates, such as Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island are more dense in population and took vaccinations quickly compared to rural states such as Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas.
"We have many challenges here that we have to overcome. This is an urgent moment we are facing in Arkansas and our nation right now," said Hutchinson.
He explained that with school beginning soon, teachers and students over the age of 12 are encouraged to become vaccinated.
"Otherwise, we are going to have more cases rising out of our schools, and we want to have school. We are committed to having that, but we have to have help during these next 30 days and act in urgency in getting the vaccine out," said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson said many social groups and organizations are partnering with local health clinics to host vaccination clinics alongside social events.
He stressed the importance of access to the vaccination as well as educating the community about the vaccine.
After presenting the data, Hutchinson opened the floor for questions.
Audience members expressed concerns on several items of misinformation circulating on social media. Some concerns were mild, while others addressed mind control devices and magnetization of the vaccination area.
One member of the audience, who identified herself only as Debbie, asked about the accuracy of the PCR testing being used to determine if a person had Covid or not. She also addressed information she claimed to have of most hospitalizations being vaccinated individuals.
"The statistics are that of all of the people who have been in the hospital because of Covid, 98% of those were not vaccinated," said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson turned the PCR question over to Romero.
"PCR is a sensitive and specific test. The rules for that are determined by the FDA and have been well established. It can be used and has been used. It is one of the most effective diagnostic tools that we have today," said Romero of the PCR testing. "It is used on any infectious diseases with DNA."
Hutchinson asked where the woman received her information, to which she responded, “American Front Line Doctors.” That website that has been reported several times for spreading misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic, so much so that when the group was named during the TimesHerald’s Facebook live feed, the live feed had to be shut down after being flagged by Facebook.