On Thursday, Governor Asa Hutchinson directed all restaurants and bars to cease dine-in seating and restrict operations to carry-out and delivery services to help reduce community spread of COVID-19. Many local restaurants are trying to find ways to cope with the new measures while staying afloat.

Laura Bell Phillips got tested for coronavirus this week at the Washington Regional Medical Center testing site. She doesn't know the results yet, but wanted to share her experience of what it's like to go through that process.

The Buffalo National River, a traditional spring break destination, has closed certain facilities until further notice, according to Cassie Branstetter, branch chief of interpretation, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Headquarters are closed to the public, as are group campsites and pavillions. Individual camping, trails and floating is permitted.

Late last year, Austin-based musician Taft Mashburn stopped by our Firmin-Garner Performance Studio when he was in Fayetteville for a house concert at Homestead Recording. Going by simply Taft on-stage, his sparse, spacey style is unique. He spoke with us about his unique styling, and he also performed a few songs while he was here.

As the known positive cases of COVID-19 jumped to 62 Thursday, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced new measures to limit what he said was "increasing community spread" of the illness. Those includes closing schools for in-person instruction until April 17 and closing restaurants and bars across the state for dine-in service. Carryout, curbside pickup and delivery will be allowed to continue.

Community Clinic has opened four coronavirus testing and treatment sites in Northwest Arkansas, but CEO Judd Semingson says anyone who is concerned they might have COVID-19 needs to call 1-855-438-2280 before showing up at a site. The sites are located at the Wellness Center at Elmdale Elementary in Springdale, the Prairie Grove School-Based Health Center and the Community Clinics in Rogers and Siloam Springs.

Arts Live Theatre has developed Virtual Theatre Project and a Virtual Theatre Academy that give children ways to stay creative while they're at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

The campus at John Brown University grew quiet this week after Dr. Charles "Chip" Pollard, the president of the school, announced all students had to move out of the residence halls by Monday at 5 p.m. The University of Arkansas also announced this week that students will have to be moved out of university-run housing by April 3.

In today's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report, Roby Brock speaks with Dr.Jennifer Dilliha of the Arkansas Department of Health and Dr. Chad Rodgers with the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care about what we know about COVID-19 and the efforts being made to slow the spread of it.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Arkansas went up from 22 to 33 on Wednesday, including the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Northwest Arkansas. The patient is located in Fayetteville. Both Governor Asa Hutchinson and Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan both held media conferences today.