FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On-campus reporting, notification, isolation and quarantine protocols have been established for when a positive COVID-19 case is reported at the University of Arkansas. 

To ensure the safety of our campus community, anyone who has received a positive test for COVID-19 off campus will need to isolate and fill out the online self-reporting COVID-19 form to initiate the contact tracing and notification process. Anyone who tests positive and had the test conducted on-campus will not need to self-report as the case information will already be provided directly to Emergency Management by the university.

If someone has been exposed to a person with a positive COVID-19 test, they will need to quarantine in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

Procedures have been developed to notify the appropriate people on campus when a person tests positive. Facilities are available for the potential need for isolation and quarantine of on-campus students. Online and remote alternatives for all classes are available to help students who have to quarantine or self-isolate to stay on track academically. 

Full details on testing, reporting and tracing can be found on the university's COVID-19 Response webite. Full safety guidelines can also be found in the Safety Guidelines and Requirements section of the website.

ON-CAMPUS COVID-19 TESTING

While mandatory testing is not recommended by the CDC or the Arkansas Department of Health, the Pat Walker Health Clinic is providing on-campus COVID-19 testing as appropriate. 

Any students, faculty or staff who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been identified as a contact of an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 can receive a nasal swab PCR test through the Pat Walker Health Center. 

Asymptomatic testing can be conducted as supplies, test kits and capacity allow.

Appointments are required to be tested and can be made through the Pat Walker Health Center at 479-575-4451, option 1. 

Anyone experiencing symptoms is instructed to isolate while awaiting results and make a list of close contacts encountered beginning 48-hours before symptoms started. 

If you've been identified as having close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days from the last contact date.

Costs associated with COVID-19 screening and testing will vary based on individual insurance plans. If you do not have insurance, there is no charge. 

Other Northwest Arkansas testing sites, COVID facts and resources can be found on the COVID website.

CONTACT TRACING

Contact tracing will be conducted by University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the Arkansas Department of Health. 

A helpful flow chart is available that details the U of A's reporting, isolation, notification and other safety procedures when a positive case is reported to U of A Emergency Management.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3 percent of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.