Coronavirus Response

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

White River Health System (WRHS) is prepared and is working closely with local and state officials to care for patients, protect our employees, and ensure the availability of medical care to the residents of the communities we serve. WRHS focuses on the health and well-being of our patients, visitors, employees, and communities through promotion of wellness, illness prevention, and education.

Amended Visitor Policy

The following restrictions are in place for the safety of patients, visitors, and employees. Visitor guidelines may change based on the needs of our patients and local transmission and infection rates. All visitors are required to use the White River Medical Center East Entrance and Stone County Medical Center Emergency Department Entrance.

Visitor Criteria

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, hospitalized patients may have one immediate family member visit from 4-6 pm each day. Patients may request a visit from their personal Minister/Priest. Family member age 15 and older are allowed to visit.

All visitors should use the White River Medical Center East entrance and Stone County Medical Center Emergency Department Entrance. Visitors will be asked questions regarding possible COVID-19 symptoms and exposure, the name of the patient they wish to see, and asked to allow a temperature screening. Every person entering a WRHS facility is required to wear a surgical mask. One will be provided if needed. Bandanas, cloth masks, and neck gators do not provide adequate protection and are not permitted.

Patients with the following special circumstances will be allowed one visitor at any time after appropriate screening.

Minor (pediatric) patients
Mother in active labor
Patient experiencing a mentally altered state where safety may be an issue
Patient receiving end of life care including hospice care
Patient undergoing anesthesia for a surgical or invasive procedure

Patients hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 may not have visitors.

White River Health System Clinics

All WRHS primary care and specialty clinics are open for patient care. Some locations and hours have changed due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). We have procedures in place to ensure the safe delivery of medical care. Follow the link, WRHS Providers, for clinic hours and telephone numbers.

If You Believe You Have Been Exposed to the Coronavirus

1. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Please inform the 911 operator of your concern about possible coronavirus exposure.

2. Click on the Coronavirus Assessment Tool on the right side of this page. The tool will take you through a series of questions and possible exposure. Instructions for monitoring and further care will be provided.

3. WRHS telehealth service, WaveLink, offers a free assessment 24/7 using any smart phone, tablet, or computer with webcam. Visit WaveLink and use the code COVID-19 in the Enterprise box. You will be asked about your possible exposure and symptoms you may be experiencing by a certified Advance Practice Nurse (APRN). You will be given instructions if it is determined you should be tested for Coronavirus or treated for respiratory illness.

4. Call your primary care provider (PCP)- You will be asked a series of question about your symptoms and possible exposure. You will be given instructions for further care.

5. After hours, call 1-870-262-6877.

Coronavirus Screening

People experiencing the following symptoms may need to be tested.

Cough
Diarrhea/Nausea/Vomiting
Fatigue
Fever/Chills
Loss of Smell or Taste
Muscle Aches
Runny Nose/Congestion
Shortness of Breath
Sore Throat

People in close contact to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 should contact their PCP for testing guidance.

Patients scheduled for a surgical or invasive procedure will be contacted by WRHS Surgery Scheduling with testing guidance.

More Information

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provide daily updates, as well as information to keep residents and their families safe.

ADH: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus.

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

White River Health System News and Updates

Since the emergence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), White River Health System has pledged communication that is clear, concise, and transparent. In that spirit, we consolidated all press releases and interviews in one place. Our leadership team, physicians, and all employees are dedicated to caring for residents in every community of our service area.

Please check this page often for links to the latest information about our response to the virus, as well as, up-to-date information about how we are caring for all the healthcare needs of our community. Our facilities are open to meet the routine medical needs for our patients.

Healthy at Home

White River Health System is dedicated to improving the health of residents in the communities we serve. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Arkansas Department of Health recommends residents stay at home except for essential tasks such as work, grocery shopping, or medical appointments.

School cancellations and closures of restaurants, movie theaters, parks, and other types of recreation create a vacuum in our otherwise busy schedules. We want to provide resources for you to help you manage and thrive while at home.

Community Support

White River Health System Behavioral Health Services provide a Community Support telephone line to discuss mental health, self-care recommendations, information about community resources, medical assistance, and more. This is a free service of White River Health System. Someone is available to take your call Monday thru Friday from 10 am until 2 pm. Call (870)262- HOPE(4673)

Coronavirus: Key Facts to Know

With all the information swirling around about coronavirus, it’s important to understand the facts. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus that causes respiratory illness. It was first found in people in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, and has now been detected in more than 100 locations around the world, including the United States. The latest information can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.

What Are the Symptoms?

There are actually many types of coronavirus. Most people experience these viruses at some point in their lives. Common coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear up to 14 days after contact with the virus and may include fever, coughing, and trouble breathing. Some people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. However, COVID-19 can cause severe illness such as pneumonia, leading to death in some cases.

Am I At Risk?
If you’ve been to a place where people have been sick with this virus, you are at risk for infection. Call your healthcare provider if you’ve been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 and you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Call, too, if you have these symptoms and you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

There is currently no specific medicine to treat COVID-19. Supportive treatment of severe cases may require treatment with IV fluids and oxygen.

Preventing Respiratory Illnesses
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, between people who are within about six feet from each other, through droplets of fluid that a person coughs or sneezes into the air. It may be possible to get the virus if you touch a surface of object with the virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

The best prevention is to not have contact with COVID-19. Follow these steps, which will also help protect you from colds and flu:

Wash your hands often. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Don’t have close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from COVID-19, unless your health care provider recommends it. People who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms should wear a mask to protect others from infection.

White River Health System offers 24/7 virtual/video health care via WaveLink.

WaveLink

White River Health System (WRHS) provides COVID-19 testing at WRHS Primary Care and Rural Health Clinics. For questions about the need for testing, use our interactive Coronavirus Assessment Tool on this site or call (870) 262-6877.

Who Needs to be Tested

People with Symptoms of COVID-19

People with Close Contact to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19

People having a surgical procedure

Where Can I get Tested

Batesville Family Care

Cave City Medical Clinic

The Children's Clinic

The Diagnostic Clinic at WRMC

Drasco Medical Clinic

Melbourne Medical Clinic

Midway Medical Clinic

Newport Diagnostic Medical Clinic

Newport Weekend Clinic

Pleasant Plains Medical Clinic

Strawberry Medical Clinic

Stone County Family Medicine Clinic

Stone County Primary Care Clinic

Sugarloaf Medical Clinic

WRMC Medical Complex Southside

Lengua Española

El Sistema de Salud White River (WRHS) está preparado y está trabajando en estrecha colaboración con los funcionarios locales y estatales para atender a los pacientes, proteger a nuestros empleados y garantizar la disponibilidad de atención médica para los residentes de las comunidades a las que servimos. WRHS se enfoca en la salud y el bienestar de nuestros pacientes, visitantes, empleados y comunidades a través de la promoción del bienestar, la prevención de enfermedades y la educación.