Here’s What to do If You Have Covid-19 Symptoms in Southwest Michigan

Ignore the rumors.  Here is what you should do if you're showing Covid-19 symptoms in Southwest Michigan.

According to the CDC: These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Calhoun County residents that are experiencing Covid-19 Symptoms should do the following according to the Calhoun County Public Health Department:

Please CALL your doctor. You may be asked a series of questions to screen for possible testing. If needed, and depending upon laboratory criteria, you may be asked to give a sample to be submitted for testing. This is a rapidly evolving process, and testing protocols and availability will likely change in the future. Laboratories are required to notify CCPHD of any positive results of a Calhoun County resident.

MDHHS COVID-19 hotline (8am-5pm, 7 days a week) (888) 535-6136
MDHHS COVID-19 e-mail (8am-5pm, 7 days a week) covid19@michigan.gov

Brigette R. Reichenbaugh, Deputy Health Officer/PIO of the Calhoun County Public Health Department had this to say about the limited number of tests,

As of 8AM this morning (3/26/20), the Calhoun County healthcare providers have submitted 99 samples to the state’s bureau of labs for testing. We have received 38 negative results and 7 positive cases, with 54 tests still pending results. Federal, state, and local public health and healthcare systems are actively working on increasing test capacity and decreasing test turn-around times. Locally, we are working with our hospital partners to utilize private labs in order to increase our ability to test more individuals. As more labs become available, the guidelines for testing may broaden. Right now, CCPHD is prioritizing in the following ways per State guidelines:

• Symptomatic individuals who may be more likely to infect people or a vulnerable population (e.g., healthcare providers and those living in congregate settings like dorms, camps, long-term care facilities)
• Symptomatic individuals who traveled to an at-risk country
• Individuals that are a known contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case that are not of the same household of that confirmed COVID-19 case

Cass and Van Buren County residents that are experiencing Covid-19 Symptoms should follow these steps:

1. Call their primary care provider (PCP) via telephone
2. Do a virtual visit with their health system/provider
3. Call one of the Care Advisor phone numbers below provided by our local health systems. *these numbers are helpful for individuals who do not have a PCP.
*If your symptoms are life-threatening call 9-1-1

• MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline (8am-5pm) (888) 535-6136
  www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
• Bronson (269) 341-7788
  www.bronsonhealth.com/coronavirus-covid-19
  *Curbside testing is now available at Bronson Lakeview Outpatient Center but all patients require a physician's order to be tested
• Ascension Borgess (833) 978-0649
  www.healthcare.ascension.org
• Spectrum Health Lakeland (616) 391-2380
  https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/covid19
  *A Chatbot is available online
  *Drive-up testing is available but all patients require a physician's order to be tested

The Van Buren / Cass County Health Department reminds us:

It is important that individuals understand the hospital is intended for those who are very sick. They should not go to the hospital if they are only mildly ill. It’s important to stay home, outside of seeking urgent medical care, to avoid infecting people. If severe, life-threatening symptoms appear, individuals should go to the emergency room.

We are waiting to hear back from Allegan, Branch, and St Joseph counties.  This page will be updated with step by step instructions for each county as that info comes in.