LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - Citing continuing concerns over large crowds getting together for a graduation ceremony due to COVID-19, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and state Education Secretary Johnny Key said Saturday that there will be no traditional high school graduations in the Natural State before July 1.
Gov. Hutchinson and Secretary Key, updated the public during the 1:30 p.m. press conference Saturday on the state’s response to COVID-19, including the latest number of cases and deaths.
As of 2:05 p.m. Sunday, April 25, there were 2,941 positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas.
Officials said at the press conference Saturday there have been 49 deaths in the state due to COVID-19, up three from Friday’s numbers.
State officials did not release any information on the deaths.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health website, as of 2:05 p.m. Sunday, 985 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 25 people are on ventilators.
There have also been 194 cases associated with nursing homes in the state, as well as 826 inmates at the Cummins Unit who have tested positive so far, officials said at the press conference.
Gov. Hutchinson also spoke about a two-day surge campaign to increase the number of people getting tests for COVID-19. The governor commended area residents, saying the numbers in Northeast Arkansas have gone from about 20 a day to 53 a day since the program began.
Hutchinson also recommended that anyone with symptoms needs to call their doctor and ask to be screened for the virus.
Graduation decision
Gov. Hutchinson said the decision on graduations is a tough one for families throughout the state, including his own, with a granddaughter set to graduate this year.
However, he said health and safety concerns made the decision.
Secretary Key, a Mountain Home native, said his office will be working with the Arkansas Department of Health to determine if the July 1 deadline can be modified in any way.
Several area districts, including Cross County, Paragould, Jonesboro and Greene County Tech, have announced plans to have non-traditional ceremonies to honor seniors this year.
Key said his office will be working with school districts, in reviewing requests for non-traditional graduations; and that he will be talking with superintendents in the next week or so on the issue.
In a related question, both Gov. Hutchinson and Key were asked about plans for the fall semester, as well as the process of closing schools earlier this year.
Key said education teams are looking at contingency plans and scenarios for the fall semester. However, Gov. Hutchinson said the goal for the state is to have a full school year.
On the closure this spring, Gov. Hutchinson also said state officials, including Key and Dr. Nate Smith with the Arkansas Department of Health, listened to superintendents while looking at safety and a goal of educating children.
The governor said the same process will be used this fall.
Also, the governor announced there will be no press conference Sunday.
The press briefings will continue Monday at the Capitol.
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No traditional graduations in Arkansas before July 1, Governor says - Knoe.com
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