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COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Testing Information at Arkansas Children's

Arkansas Children’s has partnered with Natural State Labs (NSL) to provide drive-through testing services. NSL provides COVID-19 testing across the state. Through this partnership, we have expanded testing capabilities at the ACH (Little Rock) campus. Anyone, regardless of age, can get tested for COVID-19. Community providers no longer need to enter an order for their patients’ tests unless the test is for surgery clearance. All tests provided at Arkansas Children’s Hospital by NSL are PCR tests.

Test Results

Test results should be available to patients within 24–48 hours.

COVID-19 Testing Guidelines at Arkansas Children's

  • 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.
  • 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). 

ACH Pre-Op COVID-19 Testing Route

Patients needing their COVID-19 test before surgery will enter the the COVID-19 ACH (Little Rock) testing site from a different route.

  • From W. 12th Street, turn south onto Summit Street and enter the testing site.
  • Once inside the parking lot, patients will inform the technician that they need a COVID-19 test for a procedure.
  • Patients will then be routed to a separate line to expedite testing.

COVID-19 Testing in Central Arkansas

Many locations across central Arkansas offer COVID-19 testing for children. If your child has been exposed to COVID-19, please find the nearest facility to have them tested.