In his Wednesday coronavirus response briefing, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Arkansas has been approved to temporarily increase the weekly income of long-term services and supports (LTSS) direct-care workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. State Secretary of Health Nate Smith also said the state would be expanding its guidelines for coronavirus testing eligibility to include more people. You can watch the full briefing here .

Most animal shelters in Northwest Arkansas have temporarily closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic, but continue to securely operate. We visit Justine Lentz, director of Fayetteville Animal Services , who is offering free dog and cat adoptions -- via social distancing on the shelter's front porch.

More Arkansans are applying for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , according to figures released by the state's Department of Human Services . Amy Webb, Chief of Communications and Community Engagement for DHS, says the number of applications nearly doubled from February to March, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bella Vista Fire Department's community paramedics are partnering with the Northwest Medical Clinic at Sugar Creek to expand telehealth services in the city. While paramedics are not able to conduct COVID-19 test swabs at people's homes, they are available to assist with other medical needs. To initiate a visit from a community paramedic, patients should first call the clinic at (479) 306-7507 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tobacco is a risk factor for lung and heart disease and both are medical conditions that could put someone at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. For those who want to quit smoking during the pandemic, Hope Cancer Resources is continuing to provide its free tobacco cessation program over the phone.

To mitigate the urgent need for blood donations during the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week issued new blood donation eligibility guidance. Chris Pilgrim, media relations representative for Community Blood Center of the Ozarks , explains the new guidelines.

The Northwest Arkansas Council and the Walton Family Foundation are working together to provide grants for area nonprofit arts and cultural organizations affected by the pandemic. Deadline for application is April 30.

NWA Artist INC features artists helping artists understand the financial and marketing sides of their work. Applications for 25 spots in the fourth annual Northwest Arkansas edition of the program are due April 30. A webinar this Saturday at 10 a.m. will explain some of the details.

During Tuesday's daily coronavirus response briefing, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced two new executive orders. The first lets first responders and frontline healthcare workers cite COVID-19 as a reason for filing for workers' compensation. The second provides liability immunity for medical emergency responders. He also provided an update on the response to the cases reported at the Cummins Unit state prison and the federal prison in Forrest City. Hutchinson said the best public health advice

Changes to daily life prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic are causing stress and anxiety for many people. For tips on staying mentally well while dealing with uncertainty, loss and loneliness, we spoke to a psychologist from Counseling and Psychological Services or CAPS which is part of the University of Arkansas's Pat Walker Health Center.