During a weekly news briefing on Tuesday, Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed an upcoming legislative special session and the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The Governor announced that the special session will begin Dec. 7 and will include a discussion of the proposed tax reduction bill.
“I spoke today with both the Speaker of the House and Senate Pro Tem and they confirmed that we have more than a majority vote on the tax bills to have that passed,” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson said other items on the special session agenda include moving some restricted reserve funds, an insulin bill, LLC bill, appropriation bill, a tax appeals commission.
The Governor also discussed the new variant of coronavirus, stating that there are a lot of unknowns around the variant, but scientists and public health officials are working to learn more. Early questions right now include could Omicron be more transmissible than other variants, and how severe could it potentially be?
Hutchinson said hopefully data that is being evaluated will tell if vaccines will work well to protect against the new variant.
Additionally, the Governor gave an update on Covid-19 cases in Arkansas for Nov. 30, announcing active cases rose by 335 and 12 more deaths were added. He said new cases for Tuesday were up by 1,044. He noted that this is the first time new cases have been that high since September. Hospitalizations for Covid-19 are up by 19, and patients on ventilators have also risen by eight. Hutchinson noted that 12,969 new doses of the vaccine were given out.
“I’m very pleased that 35.9 percent are first doses which means that over 4,000 going in for the first time starting the vaccination process,” Hutchinson said. “20.7 percent are second doses, and 43 percent are third doses which are all good signs on the vaccination front.”
Secretary of Health, Dr. Jose Romero, noted during the briefing that 30 percent of the new cases are occurring among 5-18 year olds and encouraged getting vaccines to those of that age group.
“It’s important that parents realize that this virus does affect children, it can have long-term consequences, and vaccines are available, and we are encouraging them to get their children vaccinated,” Dr. Romero said.
Secretary of Arkansas Department of Education, Johnny Key, also gave a report on school cases of Covid-19.
Key said that Monday’s report showed 705 active cases of Covid-19 in Arkansas school districts. He noted that it was about 500 fewer than last week, but due to Thanksgiving break, that may not be an accurate representation of current active cases in schools.
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