COVID-19 continues to hit ‘grim’ milestones

U. S. records half- millionth coronavirus death, including 94 in Crittenden County

ralphhardin@gmail.com Last week, the COVID-19 pandemic reached a sobering milestone: Its death toll reached 500,000 – eclipsing the number of Americans who died while serving in World War II, World War I and the Vietnam War, combined.

The number of American lives lost to the deadly virus prompted President Joe Biden to urge all Americans to join in a moment of silence at sunset on Monday, Feb. 22.

“On this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their loved ones left behind,” Biden stated in a Proclamation. “We, as a nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite and find purpose as one Nation to defeat this pandemic.

He also ordered all U.S.

flags to be flown at half staff until sunset, Friday, Feb. 26. Michigan Gov.

Gretchen Whitmer followed suit by ordering all American and State of Michigan flags to be flown at half staff during the same timeframe.

“As we lower the flags to honor and remember the 500,000 American lives, my heart is with the families of loved ones who passed away from this vicious virus,” Whitmer said in a prepared statement. “Our nation grieves as we continue the fight to eradicate COVID-19. The quickest way out of the pandemic is through equitable distribution of the safe and effective COVID19 vaccines. That’s why we are encouraging every Michigander to make a plan to get vaccinated when a vaccine becomes available. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we will get through this pandemic together.”

Closer to home in Arkansas, the number of people in the state who are hospitalized because of the coronavirus dropped last Friday to its lowest point since the fall, even as the state added 803 new virus cases.

The Arkansas Department of Health said the state's COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by 49 to 496, the fewest such hospitalizations since Arkansas reported 481 in the hospital on Oct. 3.

The state's coronavirus cases now total 317,396 since the pandemic began, and Arkansas’ COVID-19 deaths increased by 10 to 5,387.

Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases in Arkansas has decreased by nearly 72%, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University researchers, owing largely to reduced numbers in testing, likely from the recent winter weather event.

Vaccinations continue around the state. Arkansas received 22,500 more doses of the vaccine since Thursday. The department said 553,004 of the

Continued on Page 3

County Judge Woody Wheeless COVID-19 (cont.)

887,090 vaccine doses allocated to the state so far had been given. Hutchinson last Tuesday announced the state was lowering the eligibility age for the vaccine from 70 to 65.

'As anticipated, we are receiving additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine,' Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement released by his office. 'By expanding the eligibility of those who can get the vaccine to 65 and older, we will continue to administer these shots as quickly and efficiently as possible.'

Crittenden County is still seeing a downturn in new cases, although Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless stressed the need to continue to be cautious as he reflected on the national death toll last week.

“Today, we hit a grim milestone with 500,000 deaths nationwide related to the coronavirus,” said Wheeless. “Our state has 5,363 deaths. Our daily positive cases continue to decrease with today’s total being 245. Although that’s good news, I’m not sure what’s causing the low numbers. More and more people are getting the vaccine but that number is small compared to our overall population.”

As of last Friday, Crittenden County had recorded 5,666 local positive cases of COVID-19, with two more deaths last week to bring the total number of local coronavirus- related deaths to 94. “We can’t let our guard down and assume the virus is no longer a threat,” said Wheeless. “Please continue doing your part and together we will get back to a normal life once again.”