Virus screening locations going up across Arkansas

People who think they may have covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, should call their health care providers as their first step, according to the state Department of Health.

Also, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is offering free online screenings on its website, uamshealth.com/healthnow, and over the phone at (800) 632-4502.

Drive-thru screenings are available at UAMS Medical Center, as well as at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock; Conway Regional Medical Center; Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff; North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison; St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro; Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville; and Baptist Health Medical Center-Heber Springs, said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, a cardiologist.

For children, Arkansas Children’s hospital is offering drive-thru screenings and phone screenings at (800) 743-3616.

Symptoms of covid-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. A health care provider will decide if a test is appropriate based on the symptoms and possible exposure to the coronavirus.

Currently, the Health Department laboratory is the only one in the state performing the test, although UAMS hopes to start testing soon. Providers collect samples from patients and send them to the department’s laboratory or private labs outside the state. The department itself does not collect specimens.