Q. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms of COVID-19 are flu-like and may include fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. Some people may also experience fatigue, body aches, a runny nose or a sore throat.
Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, may develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.
Q: Who is at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?
People at higher risk include:
- People 60 and older.
- People with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease.
- People who have weakened immune systems.
- People who are pregnant.
Click here to review other medical conditions that put you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Q. What is the difference between a COVID-19 screening and a COVID-19 test?
The purpose of the COVID-19 screening is to detect risk factors for the virus. Screenings are completed by answering a series of questions. Your risk results are given to you immediately.
A screening is not COVID-19 test. A screening is required before a COVID-19 diagnostic test may occur.
If you have been screened and you have a doctor’s order, you may be eligible to be tested for COVID-19. A COVID-19 test is diagnostic laboratory test that can identify the virus that causes COVID-19. It requires a specimen collection including swabs of your throat, nose and a sample of your saliva.
Q. Should I be tested?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. If you have been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, you might have COVID-19. For patients who need testing, click here.
Q How long should someone with COVID-19 be in home isolation?
Review the latest isolation and quarantine recommendations from the Berrien County Health Department here.
Q. What is Spectrum Health doing to keep patients safe?
The measures Spectrum Health has implemented to increase safety and limit unnecessary exposure are:
- Extra cleaning throughout all facilities and frequent cleaning of high-touch areas while adhering to rigorous quality and safety practices and infection prevention guidelines.
- Providing appropriate PPE for our team members.
- Screening all team members, patients and visitors before they enter the building, and only allowing a very limited number of visitors.
- Requiring everyone to use hand sanitizer and put on a mask upon entry. In hospitals and clinic settings, face masks are required in hallways, common areas and clinical spaces.
- Social distancing floor signage to maintain CDC guidelines.
- Patients who have COVID-19 and need to be admitted to the hospital are isolated with additional precautions.
Q Is it safe to go to an urgent care for something non-COVID 19 related?
Yes, it is safe to go to any of our emergency departments and walk-in clinics. We are strictly following the CDC guidelines and use thorough cleaning and disinfecting procedures and the proper personal protective equipment to keep patients and staff safe as we attend to all emergent and essential medical needs. To keep everyone safe, you will be asked to sanitize your hands and put on a mask when you arrive. Masks are available onsite for your use.
Q. Do I have to wear a mask when entering Spectrum Health hospitals and clinics?
Yes. To protect our team members and patients from increasing community spread of COVID-19, every person entering Spectrum Health hospitals or clinics must wear the standard isolation mask provided upon arrival
Q. Cold, flu or COVID-19?
COVID-19 can present similar symptoms as the flu, but also has some key differences. Learn more at our Flu Information Center.
Q. Can I visit patients in Spectrum Health hospitals?
Healthy adult visitors are encouraged. However, we have some visitation restrictions in effect at this time. All visitors will be asked health screening questions and be required to wear a mask. Visitors with COVID-19 symptoms or temperatures greater than 100.4 degrees will be asked to visit at another time.