May 15, 2020

May 11-15, 2020

C O V I D -19

Hot Springs/Garland County

‘Hyper vigilance’ needed moving forward
as businesses reopen and visitors return

With only five active COVID-19 cases and the rate
of positive test results the week of May 3-10 falling
to just .2%, the early and robust testing in Garland
County seem to be paying off according to Garland
County Health Officer Dr. Gene Shelby at the May
11 virtual meeting of the Hot Springs/Garland
County COVID-19 Task Force.

Of the 119 total confirmed cases in the county, 113
have recovered and one individual passed away
from the virus, meaning there are only five active
cases.

But Shelby said we “need to keep doing what we

have been doing and be hyper-vigilant over the next

couple of weeks and moving forward as businesses,

restaurants and the casino begin reopening, 80 tested at downtown event

particularly as more visitors from outside the county (ABOVE) Medical professionals with the

will be traveling into our area.” UAMS COVID-19 Mobile Evaluation Clinic talk
to a resident after swabbing her for a COVID-19

He also noted that he has fielded questions about the test in her vehicle on May 11 at the Farmers
& Artisans Market. A total of around 80 tests

statewide directives from the Governor’s Office and were administered, and more than 40 homeless
took advantage of the mobile shower unit, with
the Arkansas Department of Health (AHD). Since the around 60 homeless individuals attending for

state, as with all others in the U.S., is under a public screening and other services. (AT RIGHT)
Boyce Mitchell helps an individual at the
health emergency, directives from the Governor and UAMS testing event get registered by phone.

ADH are laws and can be enforced. It is important

to remember that the difference between guidance and a directive is that guidance means “should do,” while directive

means “must do,” explained Fire Chief Ed Davis.

Hot Springs Police Department Captain Billy Hrvatin confirmed that the police station has received calls about
establishments not following state directives. The department responds by speaking with the possible offender, and
citations can be given as needed. A few area restaurants were contacted over the weekend for opening ahead of directed
May 11 Phase One initiation date.

The directives being put into place by the Governor’s office in coordination with ADH can be found by clicking on the
COVID-19 banner on the ADH website – healthy.arkansas.gov.

The United Way of the Ouachitas (UWO) is continuing to accept applications from those who are requesting assistance
if they have suffered loss of employment of income as a result of COVID-19. The application is available on the UWO's
website at www.unitedwayouachitas.org/covid-19-application, and applicants can choose for assistance in several
categories, including food, rent, utility bills, medical/prescription costs and costs for gas or public transportation.

Weekly Snapshot Page 2

COVID-19 continued...

COVID-19 testing site opening at Walmart in Hot Springs

A new COVID-19 drive-thru testing site opened Friday, May 15, in the
Walmart parking lot located at 1601 Albert Pike Road, with tests to be
offered at no cost to the individual.

The site is supported by Walmart, eTrueNorth and state and local officials
to test anyone who meets guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and state and local authorities on who should be
tested, including those with symptoms of COVID-19 or first responders,
healthcare providers and others and in high risk groups without
symptoms.

The site will use a self-administered nasal swab observed by a trained

medical professional to ensure the sample is taken correctly. Those

interested in being tested need to visit www.DoINeedaCOVID19test. The drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at the Walmart at 1601
com to determine eligibility for testing and to make an appointment. If Albert Pike Road was set up Thursday, May 14, for a soft
individuals have difficulty scheduling an appointment online, they can opening before officially opening on Friday.

call 800-635-8611. Those getting tested are required to wear a mask and

stay in their cars at all times. Appointments will be scheduled between 7-9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,

weather permitting. A schedule voucher from the completed online form will need to be shown at the drive-thru site. For

the safety of those on-site, the test site is not available to those who walk up.

P UDBenLnyIMCcPhWate, DOireRctorK S

LED program saves City funds at parking deck and 324 Malvern Avenue

A-1 LED recently completed the installation of all interior and exterior
lighting of the Exchange Street Parking Plaza at no cost to the City
courtesy of the Entergy Solutions City Smart Program. The LED lights are
really bright, and the project also included new upper deck fixtures. A
survey of this project concluded that the annual projected saving would be
$2,949.77, with five-year projected energy savings of $14,747.87. These will
be funds that can go back into the City’s Public Works budget for other
services and projects.

The new LED lights at the Exchange Street Parking Plaza are Similarly, Public Works has coordinated another Entergy Solutions City
brighter and will save the City almost $15,000 over five years. Smart Program for the office building at 324 Malvern Avenue. This project
offers an estimated annual energy-efficient savings of $1,711.89, with a
five-year savings of $8,559.47. The new office building also qualifies for a
$3,500 rebate for the energy efficient HVAC upgrade being conducted at
the facility. Additionally, the LED project’s estimated annual kWh savings
translates into a greenhouse gas reduction of 15.53 metric tons of carbon
dioxide, which is equivalent to eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions
of 3.24 passenger vehicles, 12.73 acres of forest and 2.33 homes.

Again, this isCensus self-response rate for Hot Springs at 52.8%
teamwork atLocal responses to the 2020 Census have passed the halfway mark, and with

continued efforts and participation, Hot Springs 2020 responses can strive to

its best."surpass the 2010 final self-response of 61.7%. Visit www.2020census.gov to

participate in the census, and please call, share on Facebook, or engage those
you know in Hot SpriRngansdaynAdtGkianrsloannd County to participate as well.

To keep up to date with the responses for our area or other areas, visit
https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html

Weekly Snapshot Page 3

PAAnRthoKnySWh&ittingTtonR, DAirecItoLr S

Hanging flower baskets brighten downtown

The dazzling hanging baskets returned to downtown Hot
Springs on Thursday, May 14. The baskets were added by
the Parks Maintenance crew between 3-6:30 a.m.

Fountains blue for National Police Week

The Parks & Trails Department dyed the downtown water
fountains blue in honor of National Police Week, May 11
– 15, and in appreciation of the officers at the Hot Springs
Police Department and all local public safety officials.

JPasoOn StLachIeyC, CEhief

Chick-fil-A donating portion of May 19 sales to Scrimshire family

Chick-fil-A Hot Springs, 100 Cornerstone Boulevard, is having a Spirit Night from
5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, in honor of fallen Hot Springs Police Officer Brent
Scrimshire. A portion of all sales will be donated to Brent's wife and children.

MUonTty LIeLdbeIttTer,IDEirecStor

Wastewater Treatment training

Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant employees
recently took part in operator training presented by Crist
Engineers. The instruction was specific to the operation of
the Southwest facility.

Weekly Snapshot Page 4

Utilities continued...

Installing new equipment at Ouachita Plant

Electrical consultants wired
the new high-service pumps
(left photo) to operate from
variable frequency drives
controlled by the new
switchgear equipment at the
Ouachita Water Treatment
Plant.

Consultants from Brown
Engineering and Rockwell
Automation are programming
the SCADA system and drives
(right photo) to ensure they
are properly integrated and
running efficiently.

Weekly Snapshot highlights some of the recent projects from the various City of Hot Springs departments
and is part of the City’s efforts to broaden its communications with the public.

[email protected] • City of Hot Springs Public Information Department • 501-321-6806
www.cityhs.net