Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that all Arkansans 18 and older are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot if it has been at least six months since their second Pfizer or Moderna dose or two months since their Johnson & Johnson shot. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to expand emergency use authorization for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as soon as this week, paving the way for all U.S. adults to get a COVID-19 booster dose.

Batesville School District announced yesterday that due to the spike in COVID cases for Independence County, resulting in high absences and the shortage of adults available to operate the school that Monday and Tuesday of next week, November 22, & 23 will be AMI Illness days for grades PreK – 12. There will be no classes or services on campus, all learning will pivot to our remote and virtual modes. All employees will be allowed to work from home remotely to encourage social distancing. After school activities will remain as scheduled.

After a slow down of Covid-19 cases in the past weeks we are now seeing another rise in cases. The ADH reported 907 additional cases added yesterday with 5,881 total active cases in Arkansas. 304 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 69 people are currently on ventilators. Lawrence County has 89 active cases, Randolph County has 35, and Sharp County has 89.

Tips for a safe Thanksgiving

If you’ll be gathering with loved ones this Thanksgiving, consider including these precautions for a safe and healthy holiday.