Think You May Have COVID-19? Follow These 3 Steps

Testing at a Lakeland facility is available for patients who have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have had known exposure (close contact within 6-feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) to someone with confirmed, or suspected COVID-19 at least four days ago. Visit bchdmi.org or michigan.gov/coronavirus for a complete list of available testing sites in Berrien County.

If you believe you may have COVID-19 and would like to be tested, follow the steps below:

1. Screening 
Before a COVID-19 diagnostic test can be performed you must complete screening. Contact your local, Southwest Michigan primary care provider to see if you should get a diagnostic test. If you do not have a provider, call 833.559.0659 for advice on what to do next. 

2. Scheduling a COVID-19 Test
If you have a doctor's order for a COVID-19 test, you can now self-schedule your appointment through your Lakeland MyChart account. You may also use the scheduling line at 269.927.5100 to speak with someone directly. This phone number also schedules testing for antibody testing and pre-screening prior to a procedure or surgery.

Your specimen collection appointment will be for one for the following locations: the Center for Outpatient Services (drive through option in rear of building), Lakeland Hospital Niles, or Lakeland Hospital Watervliet. No walk-in specimen collections are accepted at this time.

3. COVID-19 Test Results 
If you completed your testing at a Lakeland location, you can obtain your test results by visiting spectrumhealthlakeland.org/mychart as soon as possible to create a Lakeland MyChart account. Your results will post to your MyChart account within the next 48 to 96 hours. (Note: If your employer required you to obtain this test, you should contact your employer for results.)

Understanding Your Results

If your COVID-19 results are POSITIVE or “Detected”:
Anticipate being notified by your county health department. We recommend that you follow these current CDC guidelines:

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• If you must leave your house, wear a facemask if possible.
• Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as home isolation.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Clean your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid sharing personal household items.
• Clean all high-touch surfaces daily.

If you have a medical emergency and need to call 9-1-1, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or may have COVID-19. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.

Am I Still Contagious?
You are no longer considered contagious after all three of these things have happened:

• You have had no fever, without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, for at least three full days.
  
• Other symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath have improved
• At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
  

If you have further questions, consult your primary care provider.

If your COVID-19 results are NEGATIVE or “Not Detected,” you should remain in self-isolation until you are 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing medication and your symptoms have improved.

Returning To Work

You may obtain a copy of your test results from your Lakeland MyChart account if your employer requires this order for you to return to work. You will need to contact your provider if your employer requires a physician order to return to work. If you do not have a primary care provider, you may obtain one by calling 1.800.LAKELAND or visiting spectrumhealthlakeland.org/primarycare