Blytheville city pool temporarily closes

Because of the increase in active cases in Mississippi County, Blytheville Mayor James Sanders has shutdown the Walker Park pool on the advice of local health professionals.

As of Thursday morning, there were 20 active cases in Blytheville and 62 total active in Mississippi County. There have been 180 total postive Covid-19 cases, 115 recoveries, three deaths and 3,605 negative results as of Thursday.

“Yesterday, Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle, the Mississippi County Health official, and I talked about increase numbers of COVID-19 cased in Mississippi County,” Mayor Sanders wrote in an email to members of the Blytheville City Council on Wednesday. “During our conversation, she recommended that the Walker Park swimming pool be closed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to our citizens until we see a slowing of our numbers. Currently there has been almost twice the amount of cases identified in South Mississippi County. She believes we should exercise an abundance of caution to reduce this spread. There are so many unknowns about this virus. I have contacted Council Member (R.L.) Jones, Chairman of Parks and Recreation, and advised him of the concern and have also notified our city attorney and the Arkansas Municipal League about the closing procedure.

“The League has stated that there is no need for Council's vote due to this being temporary and a request by the Health professional in the course of day to day operation,” the mayor continued. “This morning I discussed this in a conference call with Mr. Brown and Dr. Andrew-Pirtle and in the outcome, I will be temporarily closing the Walker Park Swimming pool for reasons of health and safety effective today, July 1, 2020, until approval to re-open by the Mississippi County Health Officer.”