Task force monitoring COVID-19

March 13, 2020

A task force has been formed in Hot Springs with representatives from the city, county and state, as well as public safety and health officials.  The group has been regularly meeting to assess the most current coronavirus (COVID-19) information and its impact on our citizens and visitors in an effort to make appropriate and timely decisions.

Currently, there are no suspected cases in Garland County, and measures are being taken to mitigate as much risk as possible.

“It is imperative that we, as individuals, take all necessary precautions given our personal health status as we receive additional information on the impact of the coronavirus on various age groups and those with compromised immune systems,” said Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe. “Individuals should adjust their activities and the timing of those activities accordingly.”

Mayor McCabe has been a part of the task force meetings, which have been headed by Dr. Gene Shelby, medical consultant, Garland County Health Unit, and included City Manager Bill Burrough, Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney, Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison, Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis, Garland County Emergency Management Bo Robertson, Garland County Undersheriff Jason Lawrence and others.

“We need to take the appropriate actions to safeguard our community and our visitors, and we want to do that with the latest information available,” said Judge Mahoney. “This is a very fluid situation. We are staying in contact with public health officials on a daily basis and will act accordingly, being sure to stay within the guidelines of the Arkansas Department of Health.”