The area health care providers and state agencies continue to work and coordinate efforts in screening, treating and containing the coronavirus (COVID-19) as questions continue to circulate in our community – from patients, media, employers, family and friends. 

 There are several COVID-19 screening opportunities in the region listed below. For individuals concerned they might have COVID-19, it is extremely important to utilize online and call options before coming to one of the locations. COVID-19 is a contact illness. For patient and provider protection, it is important that if testing is required, patients be tested in an appropriate location where staff have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Providers have tightened visitor policies and are limiting access into facilities. Providers are also postponing non-urgent patient procedures and encouraging virtual care visits. These are necessary precautions to limit exposure and protect patients and staff. 

As the region’s health care providers, we are committed to caring for patients in the safest way possible. In our work together, we are learning more about COVID-19 and are monitoring and adapting to the evolving situation to care for our patients in the safest way possible. Along with protecting our caregivers, we are working to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information to the public. As we gain new knowledge, we will continue to adjust our response. Though the spread and full impact of COVID-19 is unknown, we are focused on what we do know and modifying our processes and protocols accordingly. 

Arkansas Governor Hutchinson and local leaders have provided proactive and appropriate measures to slow down the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing and good hand hygiene. Remember, COVID-19 is spread through contact and droplets (coughing/sneezing). To contain the spread in Northwest Arkansas, we must follow CDC guidelines. This does not mean that you must stay home and avoid any contact with the outside world. We must use our common sense.

AS A CITIZEN OF THIS COMMUNITY, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Practice Good Social Distancing and Common Sense

• Avoid groups of 10 or more people, particularly in close proximity 

• Keep a six-foot distance from others. COVID-19 is a contact illness. Keeping distance will prevent body or clothes contact. A six-foot distance from others helps prevent being coughed or sneezed on and will help you to stay well and prevent you from carrying the virus to those who can become very ill.

Practice Good Hygiene

• Wash your Hands, Wash your Hands, Wash your Hands

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

Self-Quarantine 

• If you exhibit symptoms, stay home and avoid contact with others in the community or at home

• If you have symptoms, contact your health care provider either online or by phone to be screened for symptoms and receive any necessary next steps

• If you experience extreme symptoms including high fever, shortness of breath, or other symptoms please seek immediate medical attention by contacting your health care provider

Stay Informed

• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arkansas State Health Department (ADH) websites for information and changes in recommendations

• Tune into Governor Hutchinson’s daily briefing with expert physicians on his staff. He is doing an excellent job of communicating.

• Visit our websites and follow our social media on local updates 

• Listen to our physicians and the messages they are providing

As health care providers, we are partners in the community and our community’s vitality. For those that are able, we encourage you to support our local businesses. We have great and creative businesses who are developing ways for you to safely acquire their goods and products. There has never been a more important time to find ways to shop local and to support the businesses in our community.

Again, if you are experiencing symptoms, please CALL your local provider to determine next steps.

Screening and Testing 

Screening that will determine if testing is necessary

• Fever above 100.4, cough or shortness of breath;

• History of international travel or within the United States within 14 days of symptom onset; OR 

• Close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or person waiting for confirmation of COVID-19; OR

• A health care worker with known or possible exposure to COVID-19; OR 

• High-risk patient (over 65, chronic illness or immunosuppressed) with a fever

Testing

A provider will determine if a test is recommended or required. It is a swab test that is inserted through the nose that will capture cells in the nasopharyngeal region. The sample is sent to a lab to determine if positive or negative. Test results currently take three to four days.  

Our health care industry is facing an unprecedented situation with this contact illness.  As health care providers for Northwest Arkansas, we are all in agreement that containing COVID-19 is our highest priority and that necessary actions include: 

• Stressing the importance of practicing social distancing and good hand washing – this will help stop spread COVID-19

• Provide access to screening, appropriate testing and treatment 

• Ensure access to telemedicine to address patient needs 

These actions will better prepare our health systems to respond to the inevitable COVID-19 surge. 

CURRENT LOCAL RESOURCES

Arkansas Department of Health

• Arkansas Department of Health Call Center: ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public.

• Call: 1-800-803-7847 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) 

• Call: 501-661-2136 (after hours) 

Arkansas Children’s Northwest

• Arkansas Children’s: If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or any health concerns call to speak with a pediatric nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Call: 1-800-743-3616 (24 hrs / 7 days a week) 

Community Clinic

• Community Clinic: The following four clinic locations are screening. Patients can call for appointment times.

• Community Clinic Rogers Medical, 1233 W Poplar St., Rogers

• Community Clinic Siloam Springs, 500 S Mt Olive, Siloam Springs

• Community Clinic Springdale, 614 E. Emma Ave., Springdale

• Elmdale Elementary School-Based Health Center, 420 N. West End St., Springdale

• Fayetteville Medical:  3162 W. Martin Luther King Blvd; Suites 13/14, Fayetteville (hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Call: 479-751-7417 to make an appointment 

• Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Mercy Northwest Arkansas 

• Mercy NWA COVID-19 Evaluation Site: An evaluation site exclusively for patients who have a fever of at least 100.4 degrees and respiratory symptoms including cough or shortness of breath and either have traveled to a high-risk area or have had contact with a known patient. Anyone seeking a test must call Mercy’s Coronavirus Evaluation Site line. Those not pre-screened will be redirected to the call center. 

  • Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

  • Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

  • Call: 479-717-7585

• Spanish-speaking screeners are available. All other languages are supported with phone translators. 

Northwest Health System 

• Northwest Medical Plaza – Bentonville COVID-19 Screening and Testing 

  • 601 Southwest Regional Airport Blvd., Bentonville

  • Call: 479-306-7507

• Northwest Medical Plaza – Eastside COVID-19 Screening and Testing 

  • 2158 Butterfield Coach Rd., Suite 100, Springdale

  • Call: 479-306-7507 

Washington Regional Medical Center 

• Washington Regional Coronavirus Hotline: An established hotline to determine if further evaluation or testing is warranted. Call: 479-463-2055

  • Available seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Washington Regional Coronavirus Screening Clinic 

  • 3318 N. North Hills Boulevard, Fayetteville 

  • Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Washington Regional Urgent Care Respiratory Illness Clinic: An urgent care facility dedicated to individuals with respiratory illness, but who do not meet the testing criteria at the Washington Regional Coronavirus Screening Clinic.

• 3 E. Appleby Road, Fayetteville (located in the William L. Bradley Medical Plaza)

• Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

• Washington Regional Eureka Springs Family Clinic: Drive-thru coronavirus screening. As patients enter the parking lot, they will be screened for symptoms of the coronavirus.

• 146 Passion Play Road, Suite A, Eureka Springs 

• Available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

UAMS Northwest 

• COVID-19 UAMS Hotline: UAMS has set up a coronavirus hotline for people who have questions or feel they may have symptoms.

  • Call: 1-800-632-4502

• Online Screening: UAMS HealthNow is available for free COVID-19 screenings. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients of all ages across the state of Arkansas and is accessible from a smart phone, tablet, laptop or computer with video capabilities.

  • www.UAMSHealth.com/HealthNow  

• Spanish speaking screeners are available. Marshallese speaking screeners available April 1. 

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks 

• Veterans enrolled in VA health care: For veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19, flu or cold, contact the VA at 800-691-8387 before going to scheduled appointments. Clinical staff are available to provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage. This service is available at no cost to Veterans enrolled for VA health care.

  • Call: 1-800-691-8387

ADDITIONAL TRUSTED RESOURCES 

•            www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

•            www.healthy.arkansas.gov 

This is a coordinated effort of your Northwest Arkansas Health Systems and the State of Arkansas.

Click here to download the toolkit.