COVID-19 Healthcare Information

Para obtener información sobre la línea directa COVID-19 en español del Departamento de Salud de Arkansas, haga clic aquí. .

Important Information about COVID-19 Screening for foreign-born residents

Alert: the US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages all those, including aliens, with symptoms that resemble Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (fever, cough, shortness of breath) to seek necessary medical treatment or preventive services.  Such treatment or preventive services will not negatively affect any alien as part of a future Public Charge analysis.  

April 3, 2020 Update

Face masks to help prevent COVID-19 community spread
Staying at home, social distancing and frequent hand-washing are the best lines of defense for preventing the spread of COVID-19. If you have to leave your home, you are encouraged to wear a face mask. Face masks help keep you and others safe by repressing droplets from coughs, sneezes and more. Even if you don’t think you are sick, wearing a mask is an action you can take to help prevent community spread of COVID-19. Whether you’re going to the grocery store, work, the pharmacy or the park – face masks, social distancing and hand-washing can help suppress the number of positive cases in our community.

What wearing a mask can do for you:

  • Keep you from touching your nose and mouth and getting infected from germs on your hands (but remember not to touch your eyes either!)
  • Help protect your nose and mouth from large infected respiratory droplets from other people’s cough or sneeze!)
  • If you are sick, it will  help to keep you from coughing or sneezing infected respiratory droplets onto your hands or onto surfaces that others may touch later

You don’t need an official medical or surgical style mask to reduce the risk of transmission. You can make a mask using this pattern from the Arkansas Department of Health or you can use common fabric items around your home to make a mask – such as a bandana, an old shirt or a dishtowel. Homemade face masks should be made using fabric and should allow you to comfortably breathe when the mask is in place over your mouth and nose.

March 25 Update

Washington Regional Dedicated Respiratory Illness Clinic 
Effective immediately, Washington Regional will dedicate its Urgent Care location in the William L. Bradley Medical Plaza at 3 E. Appleby Road in Fayetteville to the treatment of individuals who have respiratory illness, but who DO NOT meet the testing criteria at the Coronavirus Screening Clinic. Upon arrival at the Bradley Medical Plaza, individuals should follow signs to the Urgent Care Respiratory Illness Clinic, which will have a dedicated entrance. Individuals with other urgent care needs not related to respiratory illness should call their primary care physician, or visit one of Washington Regional’s other Urgent Care locations in Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers, or Harrison


Mental Health Resources

The pandemic can make anyone feel anxiety, stress, or grief. Below are some links to resources that can help you maintain your mental wellness during this trying time. 

National Alliance on Mental Health COVID-19 Information.

Taking Care of Your Wellbeing During a Time of Social Distancing
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Mental Health America: COVID-19 Information and Resources

The Arkansas Support Network has several resources and information for COVID-19 as it relates to people with physical and intellectual disabilities, children with autism, and more.

Screening and Testing:

This is a coordinated effort of your Northwest Arkansas Health Systems and the State of Arkansas.
Click here to read a joint statement from Northwest Arkansas health systems (pdf).

Screening: 
A COVID-19 Screening confirms if you have COVID-19 symptoms: fever, cough and shortness of breath. Temperature check, listen to lungs, etc.

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 currently is sent to a lab to determine if positive or negative. Test results currently take 3-4 days.

Test Kits: 
With the limited number of Coronavirus testing kits available in the community, we are only testing people who meet the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and criteria as follows:

• Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath) that has not previously been diagnosed by a healthcare provider as another illness, such as flu or strep,

AND at least one of the following:

• Are age 65 or older OR

• have a chronic health condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, or immunodeficiency OR

• Have had contact with someone who has had a positive Coronavirus test OR

• Are a healthcare worker

We can’t emphasize enough the criteria regarding testing. We ask that employers and organizations NOT send people to clinics or healthcare facilities for “testing”. Again, there is a limited number of Coronavirus testing kits available. We are only testing people who meet the above guidelines.


Who to call? Here are your current resources:

AS OF 03/29/2020 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COVID-19 CURRENT LOCAL RESOURCES INCLUDE:
(To view a PDF of these resources, click here.)

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.

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

o 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.

o 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.

o Community Clinic Rogers Medical, 1233 W Poplar St., Rogers, AR 72756

o Community Clinic Siloam Springs, 500 S Mt Olive, Siloam Springs, AR 72761

o Community Clinic Springdale, 614 E. Emma Ave., Springdale, AR 72764

o Elmdale Elementary School-Based Health Center, 420 N. West End St., Springdale, AR 72764

o Fayetteville Medical: 3162 W. Martin Luther King Blvd; Suites 13/14, Fayetteville, AR 72704 hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

o Call 479-751-7417 to make an appointment

o 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.

o Monday - Friday 8am-3pm

o Saturday-Sunday 8am-12pm

o 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

o 601 Southwest Regional Airport Blvd., Bentonville, AR 72713

o 479-306-7507

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

o 2158 Butterfield Coach Rd., Suite 100, Springdale, AR 72764

o 479-306-7507

Washington Regional Medical Center

• Washington Regional Coronavirus Hotline: An established hotline to determine if further evaluation or testing is warranted.

o 479-463-2055

o Available 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Washington Regional Coronavirus Screening Clinic

o 3318 N. North Hills Boulevard, Fayetteville

o Open 7 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.

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

o Open 7 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.

o 146 Passion Play Road, Suite A, Eureka Springs

o Available Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

UAMS Northwest

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

o 1-800-632-4502

• ONLINE SCREENING: UAMS HealthNow is available for free COVID-19 screenings. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 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.

o www.UAMSHealth.com/HealthNow

• Spanish speaking screeners are available. Marshallese speaking screeners available 4/1

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.

o 800-691-8387