Single Entry Point Through the West Entrance (Parking Lot)

Temperature & Screening Requirement

All patients must have an appointment; no walk-in appointments

Encourage virtual services whenever possible

Limiting the number of staff and patients within the facility at a single time

Frequent disinfecting of medical areas and public waiting areas

Acceptable face masks/coverings required for staff and patients at all times. No bandanas or gaiters

Additional staff procedures and policies to enhance patient health and safety

All patients must have an appointment — No walk-in appointments

Evening and Saturday Clinics available for TeleVisit only

CAPS & Wellness Programs/Classes operating virtually

All water fountains are turned off with only the water bottle fill portions operational

Waiting areas and common areas rearranged for physically distancing

PWHC staff and personnel meetings held virtually, with most administrative staff working remotely

Pat Walker Health Center will be closed on the following days:

• Nov. 21, 2020 (Saturday)
• Nov. 26-29, 2020 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
• Dec. 19, 2020 (Saturday)
• Dec. 24, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021 (Winter Break)

The health center will also be closed evenings and Saturdays for Fall 2020 semester. 

At this time, all medical care requires an appointment; no walk-ins are allowed.

To schedule an appointment, please call 479-575-4451 or schedule online through the Patient Portal.

In-Person Appointments: Face coverings, screening questions and temperature checks are required upon entry to the building and CDC guidelines for health care facilities are followed.

For more information on medical care options, click here.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) will continue to provide students mental health care through tele-mental health services. CAPS staff will continue to offer same-day emergency services, and emergency after-hours support is available 24/7 by calling 479-575-5276. 

Individual counseling sessions require an appointment, which can be made by calling 479-575-5276. Students with scheduled appointments will receive additional information about how to access tele-mental health sessions.

For more information about mental health services & programs, visit health.uark.edu/mental-health or call 479-575-5276.

The department of Wellness & Health Promotion (WHP) remains committed to enhancing the environment and community at U of A to promote lifelong behaviors and to empower the campus community to improve their quality of life and reach their highest potential.

WHP will continue to offer a variety of virtual programs this semester to encourage social distancing efforts.

Students, faculty and staff can sign-up for free TeleWellness Coaching with certified wellness coaches. To sign-up for Wellness Coaching, submit an online request form.

For more information about virtual wellness programs, visit wellness.uark.edu and follow @uarkwellness.

The easiest, most convenient way to get tested for COVID-19 is on campus at Pat Walker Health Center.

PWHC offers on-campus COVID-19 testing for university students and employees five days a week. If you need to schedule COVID-19 testing, please call 479-575-4451, option 1 to speak with a scheduler or medical provider.

COVID-19 testing is not available without an appointment.

Testing is offered in drive-up and walk-up format outside the main health center facility (asymptomatic) and Garland Parking Garage (symptomatic). Specific instructions and testing location are provided at time of scheduling.

 

Who Should Be Tested for COVID-19?

Anyone who wants to be tested for COVID-19, can be. You should especially be tested for COVID-19 if you:

• are experiencing any COVID-19-like symptoms.

• have had direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

• believe you have been recently exposed in the past 14 days.

• plan on traveling or being around high-risk individuals susceptible to life-threatening complications due to COVID-19.

If you are unsure if you need to be tested, call to speak with a medical provider.

 

Asymptomatic Testing

• Students, faculty and staff not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are tested using PCR nasal swab.

• This form of testing is considered the “Gold Standard” for identifying active infections, especially within individuals not experiencing symptoms.

• Specimens are sent to our lab partners and results are returned in 2-3 days.

• Call 479-575-4451, option 1 to schedule asymptomatic testing.

 

Symptomatic Testing

• Students, faculty and staff experiencing any COVID-19-like symptoms (see below) should schedule an appointment at the Garland Garage Respiratory Clinic for rapid testing and to see a health care provider quickly.

• Rapid COVID-19 testing is specifically for individuals experiencing symptoms and is intended to identify active COVID-19 infections in as little as 15-20 minutes.

• Call 479-575-4451, option 1 to schedule, or schedule online at uark.edu.

 

COVID-19 Symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Find Off-Campus Testing Locations (Northwest Arkansas)

If you are unable to come to Pat Walker Health Center to be tested, we encourage you to visit the Arkansas Department of Health website for a list of testing locations.

 

For off-campus/weekend testing, see these close-by facilities:

Washington Regional Medical Center:

• Coronavirus Screening Clinic | 3318 N. North Hills Boulevard | Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For patients with no symptoms who have contact with positive person(s).

• WRMC Urgent Care | 3 E Appleby Road- Ste 101 | Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For patients with symptoms (will have to be screened/seen by provider)

MANA Urgent Care on Wedington | 1188 N. Salem Road, Suite 6 |Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. No appointments needed. Will have to complete COVID screening prior to test.

MEDEXPRESS Urgent Care | 2890 N College Avenue | Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advised to call ahead to make sure they are able to offer testing at the time that the patient wants to get tested.

Costs associated with COVID-19 screening and testing will vary based on individual insurance plans. If you have insurance, that company will be billed. If you do not have insurance, there is no charge for the test. Standard visit rates apply for on-site or TeleVisit appointments. 

In order to avoid any unexpected charges, we recommend contacting your insurance provider to get an explanation of your coverage.

If you do not have health insurance, a Student Health Insurance Policy is offered by Academic Health Plans and is underwritten by United Healthcare Student Resources.

PCR/Asymptomatic Testing: Results take generally a day or two to receive back. Once your test results have been returned, your medical provider will contact you either by phone or through secure messaging through the Patient Web Portal.

Rapid Symptomatic Testing: Individuals experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms and recieve a rapid COVID-19 test, will recieve results in as little as 15-20 minutes. 

We understand that students, faculty and staff may be interested in determining whether they have developed antibodies for COVID-19. It’s important to know the clinical value of this test has not been demonstrated.

As a result, Pat Walker Health Center is not currently recommending serology (blood) tests, because the implications of a positive test and the longevity of any possible immunity is uncertain at this time.

For tests conducted by Pat Walker Health Center, results take generally 1-2 days to receive. Once your test results have been returned, your medical provider will contact you either by phone or through secure messaging through the Patient Web Portal.

On-Campus Testing: If you are tested at Pat Walker Health Center or other university-affiliated testing conducted on campus, and receive a positive result, your result will be reported to appropriate personnel on your behalf. This begins the university’s notification process including initiating the contact tracing process being coordinated by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Off-Campus Testing: If you were tested off campus, receive a positive result AND have been on campus this semester, it is extremely important that you self-report your positive test result as soon as possible. This will allow the university’s notification process to begin including initiating the contact tracing process being coordinated by the UAMS.

Please use the university’s COVID-19 Self-Reporting form to submit your positive case result. A link to the form is also highlighted at the top of the university’s COVID-19 information page.

The U of A Emergency Management department is the campus contact for positive cases and will ensure all positive case reports are provided to the appropriate on campus personnel, as well as University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) contact tracers.

Quarantine and isolation procedures are critical to the university’s mitigation strategy. Although similar, there are important differences between the two depending on your COVID-19 status. Regardless, it means staying home and away from others after you have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

• Quarantine: separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease—like COVID-19—to see if they become ill. This would include a person identified as a close contact through contract tracing.

• Isolation: separates and restricts the movement of people who are sick with a contagious disease — like COVID-19 — from people who are not sick. This would be any individual who tests positive for COVID-19.

 U of A community members tested on campus will receive specific instructions and next steps from their Pat Walker Health Center medical provider. Anyone with a positive test result will be contacted by an ADH case investigator followed by a contact tracer from UAMS. It is important you answer/return both these phone calls.

Unless you are experiencing symptoms or have been identified as potentially exposed through contact with a confirmed COVID-19 individual, quarantine is not required, but recommended while awaiting test results. 

 

Consequences: Apart from the major public health consequences, university community members who violate quarantine or isolation directives by moving around campus or attending work or in-person class may be subject to disciplinary action by university officials. Report concerns at report.uark.edu.

Who is required to Quarantine?

• Anyone who has been identified as being in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person within the last 14 days. 

*Current COVID-19 quarantine requirement is 14-days from the last day of contact with a positive individual. If exposed again during quarantine, the 14-day period must start over again. If you live in the same household with a COVID-19 positive individual, your quarantine continues for 14 days after the COVID-19 positive individual is released from isolation.

**Close contact is defined as within 6-feet of the person for at least 15-minutes over a 24-hour period while infectious

If you begin to develop symptoms while in quarantine, contact Pat Walker Health Center at 479-575-4451 (option 1) or your local medical provider.

Unless you are experiencing symptoms or have been identified as potentially exposed through contact with a confirmed COVID-19 individual, quarantine is not required, but recommended while awaiting test results. 

 

 

How long to Quarantine?

Even if you have a negative COVID test after being identified as a close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, you must complete the 14-day quarantine period.

The incubation period for COVID-19 is 2 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms can appear as early as two days and as late as 14 days. Remaining in quarantine for the entire incubation period can help to prevent spread of illness from people with COVID-19 before they feel ill, have symptoms and are contagious.

Quarantine information and requirements will be provided with test results.

Who is required to Isolate?

• Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

 

How long to Isolate?

If you have COVID-19 with mild symptoms:

• 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared AND
• You have not had fever of 100.4° F or higher for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine AND
• Your symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, are improving.

If you have COVID-19 and no symptoms:

• 10 days have passed, and no symptoms have developed since the date of lab collection.

If you begin to develop symptoms, or symptoms worsen, contact Pat Walker Health Center at 479-575-4451 (option 1) or your local medical provider. If symptoms include trouble breathing, seek emergency medical services.

On-Campus Residents: University Housing has available space dedicated to quarantining and isolating students living on campus. Students living on campus can also opt to quarantine off-campus by returning home and temporarily attending courses remotely. 

Off-Campus Students: At your permanent home residence or somewhere you have a separate room and bathroom. You will need to separate yourself from family and friends. Do not use shared living spaces. Make sure there is someone at the residence (or you can call) that can help you with basic needs and support like groceries and prescription medicines. You should not leave your home except to get medical care. Students needing help can also contact U of A Cares for additional support.

Remain at home and avoid all public activities. This means do not go to work, church, school, stores (including grocery stores), nor any public events or places. Do not use any public transportation (buses, taxis, ride share services, or airplane). 

Stay in your room as much as possible and avoid others in the household – including pets! Wear a face mask and practice physical distancing if you go into shared areas in the home or apartment. Do not have visitors in your home. Isolate in separate bedroom with private bathroom if possible.

Wash your hands and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer often. Do not share personal items such as dishes, cups, forks, spoons, towels, etc. Disinfect high-touch surfaces like remote controls, keyboards, doorknobs, countertops and bathroom fixtures.

Check yourself for fever twice a day. This means taking your temperature in the morning and before bed at night and writing down the reading each time. Contact tracers will need this information to determine when you are able to resume normal activities or if you need additional care.

If your symptoms get worse, contact your medical provider.

Specific and additional instructions will be provided directly from a health provider and/or contact tracer.

Individuals are released from isolation or quarantine based on current best practices, such as length of time, improving symptoms, and the guidance of health care providers and state health officials. Once you have completed your quarantine/isolation period, you are free to resume regular activities.  

In some instances, a release from quarantine or isolation, may be required to return to various activities. 

If you require a release from quarantine/isolation letter, you may contact ADH or the medical provider who conducted your test. You can also call the ADH COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-803-7847.

Pat Walker Health Center has temporarily converted parking spaces in the Garland Garage behind the Wellness Center into a dedicated clinic for patients experiencing respiratory illness symptoms. Patients are seen by appointment only and can drive or walk up to recieve testing/care.

Specifically for those with acute respiratory issues who need to be seen by a provider, the Garland Garage Respiratory Clinic gives students, faculty and staff with COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms a convenient location where they can see a health care provider quickly.

Students, faculty and staff seeking care for non-respiratory symptoms will continue to be seen at the main Pat Walker Health Center facility or through TeleVisit appointments.

To schedule an appointment, call 479-575-4451, option. 1

Students, faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 can receive follow-up care and guidance from medical providers at Pat Walker Health Center. If your test was conducted by Pat Walker Health Center, our clinic will contact you with your test results. However, regardless of where the test was conducted, you can receive care and support from Pat Walker Health Center.

We understand the concern students, faculty and staff may have about COVID-19. The global pandemic adds a layer of stress and worry. If you would like to talk to someone, support is available:

• Students: Contact CAPS at 479-575-5276 or visit CAPS web pages.

• Faculty/Staff: Employee Assistance Program or visit the Faculty/Staff CAPS resources page.

Please contact Pat Walker Health Center at pwhc@uark.edu or call 479-575-4451.

Additional information can also be found:

• University of Arkansas Updates: https://health.uark.edu/coronavirus/

• Arkansas Department of Health: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus

• CDC updates regarding the COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

• World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-201