Emergency services prepare for coronavirus

FAYETTEVILLE -- Emergency services personnel are preparing for the possible appearance of the coronavirus in Northwest Arkansas.

Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder said his staff has been meeting with the health care provider for the jail to make sure they are ready to handle people being brought to the jail who might be infected. Helder said the jail developed protocols in the past that are being used now.

"We've been pretty fortunate in the past when we've had major influenza outbreaks," Helder said. "We've been able to keep the Detention Center operating without any major disruptions."

The Arkansas Health Department reported no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state as of Friday.

Capt. Alan Johnson, who works in the jail, said the Sheriff's Office has a routine to try to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. The jail has capacity of 710 and a high population mark of 773 on Friday.

The jail cleaning routine covers all the halls, dining areas and common areas three times daily with antiviral and antibacterial cleaners used in hospitals and other health care facilities, Johnson said. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is available for staff and health care workers.

Kelly Cantrell, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office, said the medical staff at the jail are following the recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control specifically for the coronavirus.

Signs have been posted in the jail and in the lobby asking anyone with symptoms -- including a cough, fever, sneezing or runny nose -- to request a mask and wear it.

The jail has a designated airborne infection isolation cell used to house anyone demonstrating signs of upper respiratory infection. Detainees thought to have respiratory illnesses such as the coronavirus can't be kept in areas with shared ventilation systems.

Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway said he and his staff are relying on guidance from the Arkansas Health Department on how to deal with people who are showing symptoms of any respiratory illness. Holloway said his jail has a capacity of 669 and reported 670 inmates on Friday. The population has been as high as 710 recently, he said.

Holloway said his jail has an area designed for detainees with medical concerns, and he's trying to clear a part of the space and keep it open in case it's needed for detainees thought to have the coronavirus.

His biggest immediate concern is trying to get the proper medical supplies for his employees, he said. He said the Sheriff's Office bought additional thermometers and some masks for the jailers and deputies.

"I don't have enough masks to give one to every deputy in the field right now," Holloway said. "We've been trying to get more since January, but guess where they're made? In China."

Kristen McAllister is director of the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit. The 16-bed unit provides an alternative to incarceration for people with mental illness or substance abuse problems. McAllister said the unit's medical staff routinely checks people being admitted and takes the recommended actions.

She said the staff is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Washington County Health Department.

Springdale Police Chief Mike Peters said his department is monitoring the news and recommendations from state and federal health agencies while working to develop contingency plans.

"This is all new ground for us," Peters said. "We're relying on our health professionals to figure this out."

Mike Reynolds, Fayetteville police chief, said his department is implementing procedures developed for other public health issues, including influenza outbreaks, and keeping officers informed.

Reynolds said patrol officers have gloves, masks, eye protection goggles and other protective clothing in their units and are being reminded to clean their personal equipment and work areas often.

Reynolds said he has met with the Fayetteville Fire Department and other city and county officials about the coronavirus and will continue to exchange information and develop plans for any possible emergencies.

"The threat of an influenza-type pandemic is not new," Reynolds said. "We're sending out correspondence to our officers on a daily basis. We're just keeping our officers educated and being prepared if this comes in here."

Rogers Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said his department has developed plans over time and much of that work can be applied to any response needed for the coronavirus.

"We're in the assessment planning stage right now," Jenkins said. "While this is somewhat new, it's not entirely dissimilar to the H1N1 or Ebola."

Jenkins said it's important for people to have access to good information about the risks of the coronavirus or any health issue.

"When you have an emerging infectious disease that's not native to a population, what we're dealing with a lot is fear and misinformation," he said.

Jenkins said his department is meeting regularly with the Rogers Police Department, health officials and others to keep up with the developing situation. He said he wants to avoid a situation similar to one in Washington state where local firefighters have been quarantined after being exposed to the virus at a nursing home.

"We have to be able to protect our personnel and find ways to continue to deliver the services needed by the public."

Jenkins said he's confident in the preparations made so far and in the department's ability to deal with any new developments.

"I want to be 'optimistically paranoid' about what's going on," Jenkins said. "Hopefully, all our preparations will be for naught."

NW News on 03/09/2020