The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) cannot provide any information on the first, or any, positive tests for coronavirus/COVID-19 in Baxter County.
Citing the security rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), ADH told KTLO News it is prevented from sharing details about a case.
In Missouri, health officials have released details about some positive tests, but different states have different rules, according to Meg Mirivel, director of the Office of Health Communications
“Some states have different HIPAA guidelines based on factors such as population size,” Mirivel explains. “Missouri, for example, has twice the population of Arkansas and may have different guidelines based on that.”
For those concerned about the location of the positive test subjects and places the person may have been in the past two weeks, Mirivel says Twin Lakes Area residents should take caution in all public places.
“At this point in the outbreak, any public place is a potential risk for exposure,” Mirivel says. “People should practice frequent hand washing and social distancing, no matter where they are. With over 400 known cases in our state and more being added every day, it is not possible for (ADH) to complete contact tracing and public and notification on each one.”
“Even outside of HIPAA concerns, (ADH) would not want to create a false sense of security by identifying certain places, when people should take precautions wherever they are,” Mirivel adds.
The incubation time for coronavirus is two to 14 days, before those infected begin to exhibit symptoms. While asymptomatic, those infected will spread the virus through aerosolized droplets while coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19 include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, according to ADH.
Baxter Regional Medical Center says if you believe you may have coronavirus, do not go to the hospital or a physician clinic. Stay home, call your primary physician or the Baxter Regional COVID-19 Hotline (870-508-7001 available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and avoid contact with others.
Baxter Regional reminds the public several coronavirus hotlines have been set up for people who have questions or feel they may have symptoms:
Baxter Regional COVID-19 Hotline: (870) 508-7001, available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
UAMS Health COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-632-4502
Arkansas Children’s Hospital: 1-800-743-3616. If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, call to speak with an ACH nurse. Nursing staff will be available for questions and phone screenings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Arkansas Department of Health: Call 1-800-803-7847 or email ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov during normal business hours (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Call 1-800-554-5738 after normal business hours for urgent calls needing immediate response.