Covid-19 cases rise in Northwest Arkansas

FILE -- Nurse Caitlin Percival bags a covid-19 test, Friday, April 24, 2020 at a drive-thru testing site at the Mercy Convenient Care in Bentonville.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
FILE -- Nurse Caitlin Percival bags a covid-19 test, Friday, April 24, 2020 at a drive-thru testing site at the Mercy Convenient Care in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Northwest Arkansas.

The number of people in Benton and Washington county hospitals with covid-19 has increased by about 86% since the start of November. The hospitals had 57 patients in their covid-19 units Nov. 2. and 106 patients in covid-19 units as of Wednesday, according to data available from the region's largest health care organizations by Martine Pollard, a spokeswoman at Mercy Health System.

"This increase in caring for covid-19 patients, high acuity patients in our ICUs, along with other diverse medical needs, causes us to have great concern," according to a joint statement. "We continue to work together monitoring community spread, testing supplies, staffing, equipment and modification of covid units, while knowing our surrounding regions and states are experiencing similar increases in community spread and hospitalizations, limiting resource reserves. We are holding steady but with growing concern of overstressing our workforce and health systems."

The highest reported number of hospitalized covid-19 patients in the region at one time was 113 patients July 7.

The number of cumulative covid-19 cases in Benton and Washington counties increased by about 1,950 within the past week, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Cases had increased by about 1,840 the week before.

Washington County had 15,282 cumulative cases as of Friday, compared with 14,252 on Nov. 20. Active cases decreased from 1,398 to 1,369. Active cases as of Friday included 991 confirmed cases and 378 probable cases.

Benton County had 11,831 cumulative cases as of Friday, compared with 10,906 on Nov. 20. Active cases decreased from 1,078 to 1,043. Active cases as of Friday included 744 confirmed cases and 299 probable cases.

Both antigen tests and polymerase chain reaction, or PCR tests, are used to test for covid-19. Antigen tests produce faster results, are generally only used on people with symptoms of the virus and have a higher chance of giving false-negative results. Both antigen and most PCR tests are done via nasal swabs. The latter requires a long swab far up the nose, while antigen tests require swabbing the front of the inside of the nose.

A total of 113,821 PCR tests and 6,857 antigen tests have been done among Benton County residents, while 127,400 PCR tests and 15,129 antigen tests have been done among Washington County residents, according to the Health Department.

Washington Regional Health System collected 27,318 specimens to be tested from people from March 16 through Thursday, according to Natalie Hardin, spokeswoman. The data includes PCR and antigen tests performed at its covid-19 screening clinics and primary care clinics. It doesn't include specimens collected at Washington Regional's urgent care clinics throughout the region.

Community Clinic, which offers covid-19 testing at its clinics throughout the region, collected specimens for 21,760 PCR tests and 2,008 antigen tests as of Thursday, according to Abbie Luzius, community development manager.

The four largest school districts in Northwest Arkansas reported virus cases, although schools were closed for at least part of the week for Thanksgiving.

Rogers Public Schools had 392 cases, including 40 active cases, as of Tuesday, according to the district's website. The district had 947 people in quarantine as of Tuesday, according to the district's website. The data includes students, staff and faculty.

The Springdale district had 789 cases, including 134 active cases, as of Wednesday, according to the Health Department. The district shifted to remote learning Monday and Tuesday and were closed Wednesday through Friday.

The Bentonville School district had 334 cases, including 69 active cases, among students, faculty and staff as of Wednesday, according to the Health Department. Schools were closed all week.

The Fayetteville district had 187 cases, including 49 active cases, among students, staff and faculty members as of Tuesday. Fifty-seven staff and/or faculty and 269 students were in quarantine as of Tuesday, according to the district's website.

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Covid-19 testing

The following offer both antigen tests and polymerase chain reaction, or PCR tests for covid-19.

Washington County Health Unit: 3270 Wimberly Drive in Fayetteville. Patients should call (479) 521-8181 to make an appointment.

Benton County Health Unit: 1200 W. Walnut St., Suite 2200 in Rogers. Patients should call (479) 986-1300 to make an appointment.

Washington Regional Urgent Care: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday at 1301 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville.

Washington Regional Urgent Care: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday at 808 U.S. 65 in Harrison.

Washington Regional Urgent Care: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday at 2301 W. Pleasant Grove Road, Suite 101 in Rogers.

Washington Regional Urgent Care: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday at 3300 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale.

Washington Regional Urgent Care, 3 E. Appleby Road, Suite 101 in Fayetteville. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Appointments are not required.

Washington Regional Internal Medicine Associates, 688 Millsap Road, Suite 100 in Fayetteville. 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday. Appointments are required.

Washington Regional Shiloh Clinic, 513 N. Shiloh St. in Springdale. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Appointments are required.

Washington Regional East Springdale Family Clinic, 1607 S. Old Missouri Road in Springdale. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Appointments are required.

Washington Regional Farmington Family Clinic, 199 E. Main St. in Farmington. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-noon. Friday. Appointments are required.

West Washington County Clinic inside Lincoln Middle School, 201 E. School St. in Lincoln. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday. Appointments are required.

Washington Regional Crossroads Family Clinic, U.S. 62 North, Harrison. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday. Appointments are required.

Washington Regional Eureka Springs Family Clinic, 146 Passion Play Road in Eureka Springs. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are required for testing in the clinic. Drive-through antigen testing is available 8 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday. An appointment is not necessary for drive-through testing.

Community Clinic Siloam Springs Medical: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 500 S. Mount Olive St., No. 200 in Siloam Springs.

Community Clinic Rogers Medical: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1233 W. Poplar St. in Rogers.

Community Clinic Springdale Medical and Pediatrics: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 614 E. Emma Ave., Suite 300 in Springdale.

Community Clinic Fayetteville Medical: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3162 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Suites 13 and 14.

Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas Family Medicine South: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2523 E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville.

Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas Family Medicine: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1109 S. West End St. in Springdale. Patients must call (479) 750-3630 to make an appointment.

Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas Family Medicine Pinnacle Hills: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3730 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Suite 2 in Rogers. Patients must make an appointment by calling (479) 464-5599.

Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas Urgent Care Wedington: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Sunday, 1188 N. Salem Road, Suite 6 in Fayetteville.

Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3380 N. Futrall Drive in Fayetteville. Patients should call (479) 442-7322 to schedule a telemedicine screening appointment.

MedExpress Urgent Care: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., 1160 S. 40th St. in Springdale. Patients must call (479) 750-2971 to make an appointment.

Northwest Medical Center: 601 S.W. Regional Airport Blvd. in Bentonville. Patients may call (479) 306-7507.

Northwest Medical Center: 2158 Butterfield Coach Road, Suite 100 in Springdale. Patients may call (479) 306-7507.

Mercy Coronavirus Evaluation Site: Mercy Convenient Care, 3101 S.E. 14th St. in Bentonville. Patients must call (479) 717-7585 beforehand to make an appointment to be screened.

Mercy Clinic Convenient Care: 3101 Southeast 14th St. in Bentonville.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 2900 Southeast Moberly Lane in Bentonville.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 1 Mercy Way in Bella Vista.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 4600 Mercy Lane, Suite 140 in Springdale.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 1000 Southeast 13th Court in Bentonville.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 1401 N. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 1225 E. Centerton Blvd. in Centerton.

Mercy Clinic Family Medicine: 613 N. Second St. in Rogers.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 200 Carr St. in Pea Ridge.

Mercy Clinic Pediatrics: 3101 Southeast 14th St. in Bentonville.

Mercy Clinic Pediatrics: 4100 Southwest I St., Suite 100, in Bentonville.

Mercy Clinic Pediatrics/Mercy Clinic Family Medicine: 325 S. Sixth Place in Lowell.

Mercy Clinic Internal Medicine – 52nd Street

Mercy Clinic Primary Care: 4100 Southwest I St., Suite 200, in Bentonville

Mercy Clinic Family Medicine and Obstetrics: 2708 S. Rife Medical Lane, Suite 130, in Rogers.

Mercy GoHealth Urgent Care: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday, 2012 S. Promenade Blvd. in Rogers. Patients may walk in or make an appointment.

Mercy GoHealth Urgent Care: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday, 4962 Elm Springs Road, Suite 5 in Springdale. Patients may walk in or make an appointment.

Mercy GoHealth Urgent Care: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday, 3391 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville. Patients may walk in or make an appointment.

The following offer polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests for covid-19. These clinics may not offer antigen tests.

Walmart/Quest testing site: 7-9 a.m. Thursday and Friday at Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1400 N. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville. Patients must schedule an appointment through Quest Diagnostic’s online portal, MyQuestCOVIDTest.com or MyQuest app.

Washington Regional Coronavirus Screening Center: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Sunday at Washington Regional Urgent Care, 3 E. Appleby Road in Fayetteville.

Washington Regional Coronavirus Screening Center: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 3318 N. North Hills Blvd. in Fayetteville.

Screening

Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas online screening: mana.md/covid-19-screening/.

Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas fever hotline: (479) 435-2500.

Veterans enrolled in Veterans Affairs health care may call (800) 691-8387.

UAMS digital screening: www.uamshealth.com/….

UAMS hotline: (800) 632-4502.

Washington Regional hotline: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, (479) 463-2055.

Alex Golden may be reached by email at agolden@nwadg.com.

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