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COVID-19 and Your Child

If you have COVID-19 questions, call our 24/7 pediatric hotline.

1-800-743-3616

If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19:

  • Please note: Arkansas Children's is following the Arkansas Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for testing for COVID-19. We are ONLY testing those children who meet the qualifying criteria. 

  • Most fever, cough, and cold symptoms can be managed at home with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, Motrin and oral hydration fluids like Pedialyte. However, we encourage you to bring your child to the Emergency Department if:

    • They are having difficulty breathing
    • They are dehydrated (crying without tears, infrequent urination)
    • They are overly drowsy or hard to wake
    Fever (a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees) in babies less than 3 months old should prompt you to call your primary care physician or bring your child to the Emergency Department.
  • For patients less than 18 years old, call 1-800-743-3616 to speak with an Arkansas Children’s pediatric nurse. Nursing staff will be available for questions and phone screenings 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • UAMS HealthNow is also offering a free online tool available 24 hours a day at UAMSHealth.com/healthnow. UAMS HealthNow is intended for adults (at least 18 years old). 

Visitor Restrictions

In a continued effort to protect patient and team safety, the following visitor restrictions have been implemented:

  • Only one adult per patient is allowed in any Arkansas Children’s facility.
    • If a second adult is needed to safely transport or support the patient or parent, the second accompanying adult will be asked to wait (1) in a designated alternative waiting space, (2) outside the hospital or clinic building, (3) in their car (if it is safe to do so), or (4) at nearby off-site location. 
  • For inpatient stays, only one parent or guardian may spend the night in the patient’s room. 
    • Overnight visitors must be rescreened DAILY at the unit level. 
  • Visitors under the age of 18, including siblings, are currently NOT allowed in any Arkansas Children’s facility at any time (unless they are a parent or caregiver of a patient). 
    • All families should make alternate care arrangements for other children before coming to Arkansas Children’s. If you have concerns about making such arrangements, please call your clinic before arrival to discuss a care plan. 
  • All visitors entering any Arkansas Children’s facility will be expected to complete the required visitor screening and follow masking and social distancing requirements. 
  • Social distancing (i.e. remaining 6-feet away from others, staying home) is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19. While you are in any Arkansas Children’s facility, we ask that you please remain in your room or assigned waiting space as much as possible. 
  • In order to ensure adequate social distancing space for those seeking care at Arkansas Children’s, please do not bring large groups, including additional family members, to our facilities. 
  • All visitors, including patients, are required to wear masks while in our facilities. If you have cloth masks, please bring and wear them while you are here. If you do not have a mask, we will provide a new, unused mask at the door. If your child is under 2 years old, or cannot put on or a remove a mask without help, they should not wear a mask. 
  • Families with other questions about the current visitor policy or who have special needs or extenuating circumstances should contact their child’s unit/clinic director or designated leader. Any exceptions to the current visitor guidelines will be decided by the unit/clinic director along with the assigned care team. Any exceptions will be discussed with the family and care team during handoffs between caregivers and will be noted in the child’s records.

We are taking additional steps to protect children and their families from potential exposure. We are requiring that all patients and their accompanying parent or guardian wear masks in our facilities. If you have cloth masks, please bring and wear them while you are here. If you do not have a mask, we will provide a new, unused mask at the door. If your child is under 2 years old, or cannot put on or a remove a mask without help, they should not wear a mask.

As a reminder, effective July 20, 2020, face coverings are required through a mandate issued by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

With safety as a core value, Arkansas Children’s is implementing procedures and protocols across the health system. Team members, patients and visitors entering Arkansas Children's facilities will be temperature screened upon entry to our facilities. As visitors, patients and families arrive on campus they should expect to be asked ALL of the following screening questions:

  1. Have you had recent onset of any of the following symptoms:
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches (not explained by exercise)
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  2. In the last month, have you or anyone in your household:
    • Tested positive for COVID-19 or have a test pending?
    • Have been in direct contact with someone positive for COVID-19?

If you are cleared to enter, you will be asked to wear a mask.

Helpful information about the novel coronavirus outbreak.

CDC Coronavirus badge

As a parent or caregiver, you might be concerned about the coronavirus outbreak and how it could impact your family.

Arkansas Children’s is staying up-to-date with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and is working closely with our Arkansas Children’s Infection Prevention team to keep patients and families safe and healthy during this uncertain time.

The number of cases continues to increase around the world, including more diagnoses in the United States. 

What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Several known coronaviruses infect people and usually only cause mild respiratory disease, such as the common cold. Some develop with more serious symptoms, like the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreaks in years past.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

How can I protect myself and my family?

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Here are some everyday ways to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

How many cases of COVID-19 are in the U.S.?

The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21, 2020. The current count of cases of COVID-19 in the United States is available on CDC’s webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but now it seems to be spreading from person to person. Some diseases are more contagious than others. An example of a very highly contagious disease is measles, while other diseases are less so. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading between people.

What are severe complications from this virus?

Many adult patients have pneumonia in both lungs. 

Is there a vaccine or specific treatment?

There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms.

How is Arkansas Children’s preparing for the coronavirus?

Our Infection Prevention team is staying in close contact with the CDC and Arkansas Department of Health to stay updated about the coronavirus and how it could potentially impact our patients and families, volunteers and team members within the system. Additionally, we are screening patients at check-in to identify any at-risk individuals.

For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/COVID19.