Health Center Opens Respiratory Illness Clinic in Garland Garage; Rapid COVID-19 Testing Offered

Photo by Chieko Hara

Rapid COVID-19 testing is specifically for individuals experiencing symptoms and can return results in under an hour.

Pat Walker Health Center has temporarily converted parking spaces in the Garland Garage behind the Wellness Center into a dedicated clinic for patients experiencing respiratory illness symptoms.

Specifically for those with acute respiratory issues who need to be seen by a provider, the Garland Garage Respiratory Clinic gives students, faculty and staff with COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms a convenient location where they can see a health care provider quickly.

"As we progress through the fall and winter months, it remains vital that our campus community has convenient access to expert medical care and testing for all respiratory illnesses, not just COVID-19," said Dr. Huda Sharaf, PWHC medical director. "This temporary clinic strengthens our ability to diagnose and treat other types of infections outside of COVID 19 while maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff"

The Garland Garage Respiratory Clinic is available to all students, faculty and staff by appointment only and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students, faculty and staff seeking care for non-respiratory symptoms will continue to be seen at the main Pat Walker Health Center facility or through TeleVisit appointments.

Rapid COVID-19 Testing Available for Symptomatic Individuals

Recently, the Pat Walker Health Center began offering rapid COVID-19 testing for the University of Arkansas community. The addition of rapid testing further strengthens the health center's overall testing efforts and adds an additional tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the campus community.

Rapid testing affords the health center with a multi-pronged approach to identifying active COVID-19 infections within the campus community and provide testing results for individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 more quickly.

"When used as indicated, rapid testing can be an important tool for public health," said Sharaf. "Rapid testing allows for more rapid diagnosis and isolation of positive COVID-19 cases in persons who are exhibiting symptoms. We will remain strategic in how we use the various testing platforms available to us."

Rapid testing is specifically for individuals experiencing symptoms and can return results in under an hour.

Students, faculty and staff who need testing must call 479-575-4451, option 1, to schedule an appointment. All COVID-19 testing requires an appointment.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing will now be conducted by appointment in drive-up format at the Pat Walker Health Center main facility parking lot.

If you are unsure if you need to be tested, or you are experiencing any COVID-19-like symptoms, call Pat Walker Health Center.

For more information about COVID-19 testing and information, visit health.uark.edu.