Boozman thanks officials for work done during pandemic

JASPER — US Sen. John Boozman dropped by the Newton County Health Unit Thursday morning, April 8, to learn about its efforts and challenges to distribute vaccines in the area.
The unit's manager, Erika Houston, said 967 doses, including first and second doses of the Moderna vaccine had been dispensed at the unit over the past three months. The unit was busy Thursday giving the shots as well as conducting regular services.
The unit has been holding vaccine clinics on Fridays which not only attracted eligible patients from Newton County, but from surrounding counties as well. Attendance at the clinics have ranged from 90 to 180 people. The clinics are based on appointments to maximize the vaccine allotments 10 doses at a time.
In addition to the health unit, clinics have also been held at the Jasper School by North Arkansas Regional Medical Center.
All clinics were open as the various phases for vaccinations became open. First in line were emergency and medical personnel, then teachers, persons over 65. Vaccine can now be received by anyone over the age of 16.
Houston shared the most recent COVID-19 metrics for Newton County. As of Thursday the total cumulative cases of the virus totaled 708. At that time only one active case was identified. The total recovered cases were 681. Total deaths were 26 with four of those were listed as probable.
Boozman said he was visiting the health unit in part to make sure it was receiving the amount of vaccine needed.

Houston said that the vaccine is being utilized as it is received, and a stockpile is now starting to grow.
Richard Taffner, the health district manager for the Northwest Public Health Region, said the same is true for the other Arkansas Department of Heath units in the region. Arkansas has been among the leading states in getting its population vaccinated.
Boozman said his visits around the state is part of the "ARm Tour." He is making sure people are encouraged to and are being vaccinated. "It's the quickest path back to normal", he said. He said he has talked to community leaders on down to medical personnel to make sure they have the resources they need to accommodate people and be efficient. "We are seeing a surge in vaccinations, and that is a good thing.
During the brief visit, Boozman also talked with Jasper Mayor Jan Larson, County Judge Warren Campbell and Newton County Health Officer Dr. Jacky Dunn. He thanked everyone for working together.
He said is was a blessing for the vaccines to be developed in only 10 months. He likened it to sending somebody to the moon.
There is no substitute for the county health units and health professions who have been taken care of the people year after year, he added. The people have total trust in them, he said. That is being demonstrated by the turnout of people wanting to get the vaccine.