Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
COVID-19: Latest local updates from Baxter Regional Medical Center
Baxter Regional Medical Center and other healthcare providers and state
agencies are working together to address the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
in Arkansas. In an effort to decrease possible exposure to patients, hospitals
are limiting the numbers of visitors. Arkansans with questions or concerns
about possible symptoms are asked to refrain from going directly to the
hospital and instead utilize other screening resources available across
the state like those below.
Several Coronavirus Hotlines have been set up for people who have questions
or feel they may have symptoms:
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Baxter Regional COVID-19 Hotline: (870) 508-7001, available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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UAMS Health COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-632-4502
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Arkansas Children’s Hospital: 1-800-743-3616
- If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, call to speak with an
ACH nurse. Nursing staff will be available for questions and phone screenings
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Arkansas Department of Health: Call 1-800-803-7847 or email
ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov during normal business hours (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Call 1-800-554-5738
after normal business hours for urgent calls needing immediate response.
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Center for Disease Control and Prevention: 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
BAXTER REGIONAL COVID-19 SCREENING TOOL
- Have you had contact with anyone who has lab-confirmed COVID-19?
- Have you had a fever (temperature at or above 100.0° F)?
- Have you had a cough and shortness of breath?
If you answered YES to any of questions above, call your Primary Care Provider or the Baxter
Regional COVID-19 Hotline (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.) at (870) 508-7001.
Download Baxter Regional COVID-19 Screening Tool HERE
UAMS HealthNow is available for all Arkansans to undergo free COVID-19 screenings at
UAMSHealth.com/healthnow. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to patients of
all ages and is accessible from any smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer
with video capabilities. The screening is not a test to determine if a
patient has COVID-19 but may result in a recommendation for testing by
the Arkansas Department of Health.
If you or a child are sick but NOT exhibiting
COVID-19 symptoms, consider using the
Baxter Regional CARE app. Telemedicine is encouraged when social distancing! Baxter Regional CARE
provides quick and convenient video access to affordable urgent care 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year via your smartphone or tablet.
Each visit has a flat rate of $69. For more information, visit
baxterregionalcare.com, or download Baxter Regional CARE from Google Play or Apple App Store.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM BAXTER REGIONAL
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Download the Baxter Regional COVID-19 Resources.
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Download the Baxter Regional COVID-19 Screening Tool.
- Baxter Regional is enforcing strict visitor guidelines until further notice
(see below).
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Baxter Regional Clinics continue to see patients for appointments via
telemedicine, phone and in the clinic. Patients and those with them are all undergoing
a health screening.
- Baxter Regional will continue to communicate regularly with the Arkansas
Department of Health (ADH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) in an effort to share resources and information pertaining to COVID-19.
Collaboration between various community officials and leaders will be
ongoing to ensure that patients and employees remain safe and informed.
Visitor Guidelines
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All access points into Baxter Regional Medical Center will be restricted
to the following entrances:
- Main Entrance (Open Monday-Friday, 5 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Medical Arts Building Entrance (Open Monday-Friday, 5 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Cline Emergency Center Entrance (Open 24/7 all days of the week).
- All patients, visitors, employees and physicians will be temperature screened
at the entrances mentioned above before they will be granted access into
the facility.
- A patient may designate one visitor over age 18 per day.
- Visitors from out of state will not be permitted.
- Patients with a suspected or lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 are not allowed visitors.
- In the interest of keeping patients safe and in preparation for COVID-19,
all non-essential visitors and vendors are suspended from entering the
facility until further notice.
Department Changes
Helpful Links
About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Coronaviruses are a common family of viruses (the common cold is among
them). This particular strain is called COVID-19 and can be spread from
person to person via respiratory droplets, similar to how the flu is spread.
It can also be spread by touching a surface that has the virus on it and
then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
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COVID-19 was first detected in China and has now spread to over 100 locations
internationally. On March 11, 2020, the
World Health Organization officially characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. On March 13, 2020, COVID-19
was officially declared a national emergency by the United States.
SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
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According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness
and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. Symptoms typically appear within
2-14 days after exposure.
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Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
- Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are common in people and different
species of animals, including cattle, camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal
coronaviruses can infect people and spread from person to person. The
current outbreak of respiratory disease is caused by a novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) that was first detected in China.
- Similar to the flu or other respiratory infections, COVID-19 is mainly
spread from person to person. A spread is most likely to happen between
people in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Although not believed to be the primary way the virus spreads, it may be
possible for a person to contract COVID-19 by touching a contaminated
surface or object and then touching their nose, mouth or eyes.
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Certain populations are believed to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness,
including older adults and people with underlying chronic health conditions
like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. If you are at high risk,
limit travel and close contact with others, wash your hands frequently
and talk to your doctor about what to do if you get sick.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Take steps to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that
contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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Put distance between yourself and other people.
This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting
very sick.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use
the inside of your elbow.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Baxter Regional Press Releases: COVID-19