TEXARKANA, Ark. - Officials of the Arkansas-side of the state line gathered at Bi-State Justice Center to marshall resources and coordinate activities as they prepared countermeasures against the COVID-19.
"We are here to coordinate emergency services and make sure we can do our job," said Joe Bennet, director of the Miller County Office of Emergency Management. "Bowie County has established its emergency operations center, and Arkansas agencies will also be participating."
"We've also implemented a countywide emergency plan, as well as declared a county emergency, with which we can now request resources from the state level," he said. "We will be putting out information to the public. Expect it to change often."
Some area mayors were present and announced their plans for continuity of government, in the event of an emergency, such as ensuring officials are still available to enable citizens to get tasks done requiring county efforts, in the event that city halls have to close.
Red Cross officials announced they will continue to provide services. They will do everything they can remotely through the duration. Essential tasks, including shelter operations, will continue, but with counter-COVID-19 measures in place.
Texarkana schools have shut down and are conducting deep cleaning. Breakfast and lunches will still be offered. In addition, Texarkana schools will be teaming up with Harvest Texarkana to help families out with food supplies during the duration. Contact your local school for more information.
Texarkana, Arkansas, Police Department outlined plans during the emergency meeting to conduct non-emergency calls over the phone as much as possible. Emergency calls will be handled according to existing standard procedure.
In the event of supply gouging, notify the local police or Leslie Ruttledge, the state attorney-general.
The Arkansas Department of Health is the lead agency is Arkansas COVID-19 cases.
Status of COVID-19 in Arkansas:
41 cases under investigation
310 cases with identified risk monitored daily
197 negative test results
More news is expected from both the state and federal level in coming days.