COVID-19 Small Business Resources
November 2-8, 2020
UAMS study shows 3.5% of Arkansans have tested positive for COVID-19
Early results from a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)-led COVID-19 antibody study show that 3.5% of Arkansans have been infected with the novel coronavirus.
UAMS researcher Dr. Joshua Kennedy revealed the initial findings of the Arkansas Coronavirus Antibodies Seroprevalence Survey during a presentation Oct. 21 with Dr. Laura James, director of the UAMS Translational Research Institute.
The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA)-sponsored talk focusing on UAMS’ COVID-19 research efforts featured James, an ARA fellow, Kennedy and Dr. John Arthur, Ph.D., also a UAMS COVID-19 researcher. UAMS has eight other studies testing new therapies for COVID-19 either active or in startup.
Kennedy, associate professor in the College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, along with Craig Forrest, Ph.D., and Karl Boehme, Ph.D., associate professors in the College of Medicine Department of Microbiology and Immunology, have spearheaded an effort to analyze blood samples from Arkansans.
One aspect of the study involved using remnant blood samples from patients who visit UAMS clinics, including three Regional Campus clinics, and have their blood drawn for health reasons other than COVID-19. The samples, which would be discarded otherwise, are being collected and shipped to UAMS from across the state for the antibody test, which was developed in the laboratories of Boehme and Forrest.
Of 1,220 adult blood samples tested so far, 43 were positive, or 3.5%. From this analysis, samples were collected in July and August 2020. While low overall, Kennedy said, there are noteworthy differences across racial and ethnic groups:
• Hispanic (13 of 73 positives = 17.8%)
• Black/African American (21/501 = 4.19%)
• White/Caucasian (7/550 = 1.27%)
Kennedy said “based on the data and statistical analysis to date, Hispanics/Latinx and Blacks/African Americans have a higher percentage of positive COVID-19 antibody tests. This relationship will need to be studied further for other factors that might influence these numbers. We hope to work through some of these issues over the next two waves of the study.”
“These early results show the importance of our efforts to survey statewide,” said James, associate vice chancellor for Clinical and Translational Research at UAMS. “We will continue to evaluate antibody rates over the next several months to monitor the impact of COVID-19 in Arkansas.”
Seroprevalence is the proportion of people in a population whose blood serum tests positive for a particular disease. Unlike diagnostic tests for COVID-19 the seroprevalence antibody testing looks back into the immune system’s history. A positive antibody test means the person was exposed to the virus and developed antibodies against the virus. It will give state leaders a good estimate of how many Arkansans have been infected with the virus since it first came to the state, even if they did not become ill or have symptoms, hospital officials said.
Kennedy praised the collaboration of UAMS Regional Campuses, whose family medical centers in Fayetteville, Fort Smith and Pine Bluff are all contributing remnant blood samples. The collaboration was also made possible by the new UAMS Rural Research Network and the Translational Research Institute, whose resources are helping make use of Regional Campuses’ infrastructure to include rural areas of Arkansas in health research.
The study began this summer after UAMS researchers developed high-accuracy antibody testing methods. As part of the research program, UAMS is collecting blood samples from nearly 7,500 Arkansas adults and children. Arkansas Children’s is leading the pediatric component of the study.
The UAMS College of Public Health is leading the epidemiology component of the study, using the contact tracing call center to enroll study participants and collect health histories and blood samples from individuals who represent the entire state.
The study is supported by $3.3 million in federal coronavirus aid that was then allocated by the Arkansas Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Steering Committee created by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The Translational Research Institute is supported by grant TL1 TR003109 through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Northeast Arkansas hospitals urge residents to remain careful due to region’s ‘COVID-19 surge’
Eleven medical institutions issued a joint statement Monday (Oct. 26) urging residents in Northeast Arkansas to remain diligent in their efforts to slow the spread of the virus as the number of COVID-19 cases rapidly spikes across the region.
The public warning comes after the White House Coronavirus Task Force identified 10 counties in our region as “COVID red zones.” As of Friday, Oct. 23, the eight Northeast Arkansas counties represented by the institutions issuing this joint statement – Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett and Randolph – accounted for almost 20% of the active cases in Arkansas despite having just over 10% of the state’s population.
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould, Baptist Memorial Hospital - Crittenden of West Memphis, Great River Medical Center & South Mississippi County Medical Center in Blytheville/Osceola, Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Walnut Ridge, NEA Baptist Health System of Jonesboro, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University Piggott Community Hospital, St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, St. Bernards Five Rivers of Pocahontas and St. Bernards CrossRidge of Wynne collectively express concern regarding the increase of cases in our region and implore residents to follow CDC recommendations to help minimize the virus’s impact.
Consequently, all Northeast Arkansas hospitals are experiencing a significant increase in COVID patients. Following an influx over the weekend, Northeast Arkansas now accounts for the highest number of admitted COVID patients in the state.
“We strongly urge everyone in Northeast Arkansas to remain vigilant in their efforts to limit the spread of the virus by wearing masks, washing hands and staying socially distant. Additionally, it’s imperative that you avoid large gatherings,” said the hospital group. “A major surge of new COVID-19 cases could have a devastating effect on our communities. COVID is now the third-leading cause of death in our country, and it has sickened thousands of others, some of whom continue to suffer from long-lasting complications.
“Our medical leaders have said for several months that the fall would likely bring a resurgence of cases, and that’s certainly what we’re now experiencing. As this time of year brings cooler temperatures and more indoor activities, the risk of transmitting the virus increases,” explained the hospital consortium.
The group also reemphasized that the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to wear a face mask, wash your hands and social distance, which includes not gathering in large groups. The group, along with the state Department of Health, is also encouraging any person over six months old to get a flu vaccine this year to prevent possible hospital overcrowding this winter.
CARES Act funding totaling $150 million now available for Arkansas cities, towns and counties
Arkansas cities, town and counties may now apply for reimbursement of COVID-19-related expenditures through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), state Department of Finance and Administration officials announced on Oct. 17.
A total of $150 million has been set aside from the fund, split evenly with cities and towns receiving $75 million along with $75 million for counties. The relief funds are a portion of the $1.25 billion the state received via the CARES Act Steering Committee, approved earlier this year by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. To date, the panel of state lawmakers and top policymakers has approved more than $$420 million of the state’s $1.25 billion allotment from the federal emergency relief package.
“As Arkansas communities and counties approach the end of 2020 and begin planning for 2021, we want to ensure local leaders are aware of the CARES funding available to them,” said Larry Walther, Department Secretary for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), the department administering the local relief funds. “From the smallest communities to the state’s largest cities, COVID-19 had a significant impact on local budgets.”
Expenditures that are eligible for reimbursement include those that are incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency that are not already accounted for in any recently approved state government budgets. The expenditures must have been incurred from March 1, 2020 and no later than Dec. 15, 2020.
Cities, town and counties may be reimbursed, among other things, for the following COVID-19-related spending:
• Payroll for Public Health and Safety Employees
• Budgeted Personnel and Services Diverted to a Substantially Different Use
• Public Health Expenses
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Improve Telework Capabilities of Public Employees
• Other – not listed above
The allocation for towns and cities may be found at www.arml.org while allocation by county is available at www.arcounties.org. Cities, towns and counties must submit application for the funding by Nov. 16, 2020 and expenditures for reimbursement no later than Dec. 15, 2020.
“Resources are in place to effectively walk local leaders through this process,” said Paul Louthian, State Comptroller and DFA Deputy Director. “I encourage communities and counties to utilize these resources as soon as possible to identify the expenses for which they may be reimbursed.”
The applicant call center may be reached at 1-800-268-7907 or via email at arcrfsupport@cteh.com. Cities, towns and counties may submit applications for reimbursement at www.arctcportal.com. DFA’s website contains an informational page with details on the program. It can be found by visiting https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/administrative-services/covid-19-cares-act/municipalities-and-counties.
Legislative council approves $50 million in CARES Act grant funding for state’s failing tourism industry
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT), the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) received approval to proceed with a grant program utilizing $50 million in CARES Act funds for Arkansas businesses in industries significantly impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The Arkansas Legislative Council on Oct. 16 approved a business interruption grant for certain Arkansas businesses in the personal care, tourism, travel, recreation and hospitality industries. The grant will provide reimbursement for a portion of specific eligible expenses incurred by businesses in these industries between March 1 and Sept. 30, 2020.
The grant application period will open Monday, Nov. 16, and close Wednesday, Nov. 25. Grants will be awarded on a prorated basis depending on the total number of applicants and the amount of reimbursement requested. The program anticipates making grant awards in late December.
“In my visits with business owners over the past several months, I’ve been impressed with the measures they have taken to protect customers and employees, and to adapt business models that have kept them viable during this pandemic. The grant will help businesses that were disrupted by the precautions necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson.
Arkansas small businesses having 250, or fewer, full-time employees located in Arkansas may seek reimbursement for expenses associated with COVID-19 mitigation or certain listed business interruption expenses due directly to local, state or federal government COVID-19 directives.
“We have heard the businesses in the hospitality and personal care industries who continue to be impacted by this pandemic and desperately need help to continue to operate and to do so safely,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “With the help of AEDC and DFA, I think we have developed an excellent program that will provide the most help we can give where it is most sorely needed.”
Information on the grant program will be posted to www.ArkansasReady.com about the grant, the application period, training and a helpline. Details regarding the grant rules can be accessed by visiting https://arkansasready.com/site/assets/files/1887/oct_14_2020_rules_business_interruption_grant.pdf.
