Howard Memorial Hospital on Omicron & Monoclonal Treatment

In the Howard Memorial Hospital board meeting, CEO Debra Wright, spoke about the presence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and its expected influx in positive test results in the coming weeks. While the hospital continues to offer COVID testing in a drive-thru style fashion; Wright said that currently testing is reserved for those with symptoms rather than with someone who could be considered having come in close contact with someone who tested positive. Those who have come in close contact with someone having tested positive are encouraged to monitor themselves for any signs of symptoms and be tested if they arise. She also said that the hospital would be honoring doctors orders for testing regardless of whether symptoms are present or not. 

Wright told the board she was present on a call this week with the Arkansas Department of Health where she was informed that Arkansas State governor Asa Hutchinson, spoke with President Biden on Monday requesting further Monoclonal Antibody Therapy treatment to be made available to the state. She said that currently hospitals are not receiving the amount ordered due to a shortage causing delays in delivery. Thus far, the hospital has been able to accommodate all requests for the treatment with 46 infusions being administered through the 22nd of December. 

The governor is set to update the public Thursday afternoon at 1:30pm on the status of COVID-19 efforts across the state. This event can be livestreamed from the governors YouTube channel.