Mayor Sanders provides COVID-19 update

During Wednesday’s press conference, Blytheville Mayor James Sanders reiterated what Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed related to the timeline of the possibility of reopening restaurants, beauty and barber shops, gyms and places of worship.

The mayor also discussed recyclying,which has come to a halt in Mississippi County because of COVID-19.

“We have been picking up some recycling and we’ve been trying to manage it ourselves. However, again as I’ve stated Mississippi County is its own solid waste district and of course Blytheville being a city within Mississippi County,” Mayor Sanders said. “I have been in touch with our county judge (John Alan Nelson) and they’re working to find someone but it appears the only one we had over here is either held up, slow, or something to that magnitude because there has been some saying there could be some contaminate on that and then most of this recycling is going overseas.”

He continued, “So there has been a problem with the actual moving not just in Mississippi County but also all through out our country right now. But they are looking into that, and they are having discussion with another company. I do know that.”

As of press time Friday, Mississippi County had 10 positive cases, 81 negative cases and seven recoveries. According to Police Chief Ross Thompson, as of Thursday afternoon, five have tested positive within the 72315 zip code.

Meanwhile, as of press time, Craighead County had 55 positive tests, 613 negative, 29 recoveries and one death.

Thus far, 34,551 Arkansansas have been tested for COVID-19, with 2,599 positive tests and 31,952 negative results. There had been 45 deaths and 922 recoveries in Arkansas at press time.

Meanwhile, Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson said BPD is staying in close contact with the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department, and there are ongoing efforts to prevent an outbreak at the Mississippi County Jail.

Mayor Sanders also added that Sheriff Dale Cook, District Judge Shannon Langston and Nelson are continually keeping in contact concerning issues with the Mississippi County detention center.

Meanwhile, Gov. Hutchinson announced elective surgeries and procedures restrictions would be lifted incrementally beginning on Monday.

He said he would announce decisions on restaurants April 29; gyms on April 30; hair and beauty salons on May 1; and worship and larger venues on May 4.