COVID-19 Statement from Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson

City of Harrison Residents,

Stay calm. Don’t panic. This is the message we want to communicate to the community regarding the Coronavirus (COVID19). We are in constant communication with local and state officials. Your city, county, medical community, educators and office of emergency management are all working together with the Arkansas Department of Health to coordinate communications and possible responses. As of Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM the Arkansas Health Department reported zero confirmed cases, 9 presumed cases and 22 persons under investigation for the virus in the state. There are no reported cases in the Harrison area. The reason for canceling public events is to help prevent the possible spread of the virus.

Right now we are in a stage of informing the community on the things to do to avoid contracting the disease. They are the same measures you take for flu prevention: wash your hands thoroughly and often; cough or sneeze into your sleeve and then wash your hands; and most importantly, stay home (or go home) when feeling ill. We can’t overstate the importance of this. The Arkansas State Health Department has an excellent website where you can get up-to-date information and more tips on protecting yourself and your family; go to http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov. The site is being updated every four hours.

I feel confident that our medical professionals are well prepared if the virus is detected here. Many rumors have surfaced but they have all been dispelled; however, if a case does occur in our area, we will inform the community. I urge you to stay calm. We will get through this event together.

Sincerely,

Jerry Jackson, Mayor

Arkansas Activities Association Suspends Spring High School Sports

Per AAA Twitter Feed:

“Due to growing concerns over COVID-19, the AAA will suspend all interscholastic competition starting Sunday, March 15, 2020 until Monday March 30, 2020. On Monday March 30, the AAA will reassess the COVID-19 situation, and announce further plans. “

NAC’s Play in National Tournament Postponed

According to the NJCAA Website the National Tournament of the Women’s Division II, which is set to feature North Arkansas College’s Lady Pioneers, has been postponed due to COVID-19.

Per NJCAA Website:

In light of recent developments regarding COVID-19, the NJCAA has made the decision to postpone national championship events for the upcoming DI and DII men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. DIII men’s and women’s basketball championships, currently underway, will work with an expedited schedule that will conclude on Friday, March 13.

Originally scheduled to begin the week of March 16, the four upcoming national championship events – DI men, DI women, DII men, and DII women will aim for a tentative start date of Monday, April 20.

The DIII men’s and women’s national championships, currently underway, will cancel all consolation games and will move semifinal and championship games to Friday, March 13.

Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO expressed his sentiments regarding the situation. “Due to the concerns surrounding the safety and security of our student-athletes and those involved with Division I and Division II NJCAA championships, we are postponing the tournaments and maintaining a fluid mentality to see these tournaments take place with a tentative start date.

We have two main objectives in this situation – first and foremost is to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, college personnel, and fans. Second is to make sure our student-athletes receive the national championship experience that they have worked so hard for.”

Start dates for each of the respective tournaments are tentative and the NJCAA will continue to follow all state and local mandates, restrictions, and regulations as it impacts its member institutions and national championship events.