COVID-19 cases in Northeast Arkansas continue to grow, but death toll remains unchanged

COVID-19 continues to rapidly expand in Northeast Arkansas, but the mortality rate for the disease in the region remains low. Crittenden County continued to outpace every county in the region with 171 positive cases, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. The county has had five deaths, but it has been a week since that number has changed.

Nearby, St. Francis County had the second most cases as of Monday afternoon with 81 and no reported deaths, followed by Craighead County, which had 62 cases and one reported death. The only other death reported in the region was from Lawrence County.

The city of Jonesboro is about to get some aid in its fight against the pandemic. The city’s police Department was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for $100,329 for coronavirus emergency supplemental funding, Mayor Harold Perrin said.

If approved by the city council, the department will use the money for equipment, supplies and to hire part-time cleaners to address issues related to COVID-19. The funding requires no match by the city.

“Everyone is hurting, physically and/or financially, right now, so this is very welcome news,” Perrin said. “We talk about physical distancing to get through this time, but in my office we also talk about keeping our work environments safe.

“One of the potential nightmares that this incredibly contagious disease presents is its ability to run through communities. This grant helps tremendously in protecting our police department.”

Police Chief Rick Elliott said the money will be used for personal protection equipment, foggers for vehicles and buildings, and UV lighting, as well as in-depth cleaning of all properties.

“We have three buildings we have to protect – our headquarters on Caraway and the patrol division and Justice Complex on West Washington, so we also have concerns for the public,” he said.

Jonesboro is also dealing with the cleanup from another disaster. The deadline for residents with remaining tornado debris to move it curbside has been extended to noon May 8. City streets workers will pick up this material if it is set out by that date. Debris must be separated by either tree limbs/vegetative debris, or construction/demolition material.

Debris created by demolition or construction contractors must be taken by the contractor to Legacy Landfill. Household garbage must be placed in city trash carts.

The Jonesboro Sanitation Department workers replaced 160 trash and 11 recycling carts, valued at $11,700 to homes impacted by the March 28 tornado. The city also has delivered 171.7 tons of tornado debris collected by volunteers and taken to Legacy Landfill at a cost of $6,780.

Anyone taking debris to Legacy Landfill should secure or cover their loads with a tarp. There have been reports of trash lining the sides of Red Wolf Boulevard and Caraway created by unsecured hauling.