CAVHS COVID-19 Update

CAVHS is committed to protecting our staff and patients by limiting the spread of High Consequence Infections (HCI) like flu and novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.  All CAVHS facilities are under active screening conditions.

What does this mean for you? 

  • All Veterans who have mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and respiratory illness should call their clinic or the after-hours nurse triage line at 501-257-2006 before visiting a facility or a local clinic. Veterans with more severe flu-like symptoms should call before coming to the VA Emergency Department, local ER or local urgent care facility.
  • In addition to calling first, Veterans are asked to consider using virtual care options such as telehealth, VA Video Connect or MyHealtheVet secure messaging.
  • Inpatient Veterans are being asked to limit visitors to immediate family members or designated caregivers. No visitors under 16 years of age are allowed.
  • For protection of our most vulnerable Veterans, no visitors are being allowed in the NLR Community Living Center of Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient Unit. Visitors are permitted for hospice and palliative care patients.
  • Access will be limited to specific entry points at all facilities and delays can be expected.
  • At John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, screening points will be set up at the main entrance (Green Atrium and Emergency Department) 24 hours per day and at the south entrance from 5:30 a.m. 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • At the Eugene J. Towbin VA Medical Center in North Little Rock, all traffic will be directed to screening points set up in the parking lot off Cypress Street from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours and weekend screening will be at the north entrance to building 170.

 What does active screening mean?

It means that staff at the designated entrances will ask Veterans, visitors and contractors the following three question:

  1. Do you have a fever? Do you have a new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms?
  2. Have you or a close contact traveled to an area with widespread or sustained community transmission of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) within the past 14 days?
  3. Have you been in close contact with someone, including health care workers, confirmed to have the coronavirus disease?

*We are updating screening questions daily with most current information about travel to areas with sustained community transmission.

Please pay attention to signs on doors and screening station instructions. Your safety is our top priority. We thank you for your patience and appreciate your understanding during this time.

Follow “Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System” on Facebook and visit VA’s Public Health Website for the latest updates.