Wearing a mask is welcome, but optional unless you:

• have symptoms of respiratory illness or COVID-19 (runny nose, cough, fever, etc.)
• have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days
• or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive in the past 10 days.

In these instances, patients should inform staff and wear a mask. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided for your use.

Anyone with these symptoms who is not a patient, is asked to refrain from visiting Bronson while you are ill.

Masking continues at Bronson Commons as is required for skilled nursing facilities.

We know how important visitors are in the overall healing and recovery process for our patients. If you are planning to visit a patient in the hospital or accompany a patient to an outpatient appointment, please read our visitation guidelines.

If you have any symptoms of a cold, the flu or COVID-19, please do not visit.

For Testing

Testing options for people without symptoms include local pharmacies, such as: Advanced Health Pharmacy, CVS, OptiMed Health Partners, Walgreens, home testing and additional testing locations in Michigan.

For people experiencing symptoms

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:

• Self or at-home COVID-19 tests may be used to identify active infection for those with COVID-19 symptoms.
• Walk-in COVID-19 testing is not available at any of our sites, including emergency departments, urgent care locations or walk-in clinics.
• Testing in the emergency department, urgent care location or walk-in clinics is available only to registered patients as part of their medical treatment at that location. See options below.

How do I get an assessment (screened) for a COVID-19 test?

If you are experiencing symptoms, call Bronson Care Advisors at (269) 341-7788. They will assess and provide options for testing at retail locations. If medically necessary, a patient may be scheduled for a virtual or in-person provider visit or may be directed to walk-in location for an acute care clinic visit.
Self or at-home COVID-19 tests may be used to identify active infection for those with COVID-19 symptoms, no COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19.

Home COVID-19 testing guidance

Self or at home COVID-19 tests may be used to identify active infection for people with COVID-19 symptoms, no COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19.

• You should follow the test instructions exactly.
• If potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19, wait at least five days before performing testing unless you develop symptoms; you may test after you have symptoms.
• If your home test is positive, isolate from others and notify recent contacts that they may have been exposed.
• If your home test is negative, you are probably not contagious on the day of testing. Testing again after 48 hours is recommended for at-home tests.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has additional information on taking a home test.

Who Can Get Tested for COVID-19?

• Symptomatic Patients: Testing may be an option if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Fever more than 100.4°F or chills
  • Cough
  • Runny nose or sneezing
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Additional symptoms may include fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or sore throat
• Asymptomatic Patients: If you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19, testing may be administered to the following:
  • Patients who are instructed to test before planned medical procedures
  • Patients who require testing to enter into a congregate care facility, such as a nursing home or assisted living center
  • Patients who require testing for travel to destinations that requires a negative test for entry
  • Workers who require testing as part of a clearance process
  • People who have had prolonged close contact with a COVID-19-positive patient in the last 10 days. Testing is recommended on days 1, 3 and 5 after last known exposure

Bronson does not offer testing for those without symptoms and have no medical reason for testing.

Steps for COVID-19 Testing

If you are presenting symptoms or meet the asymptomatic requirements, please take the following steps:

• Call a Bronson Care Advisor at (269) 341-7788.
• Do an On Demand Video Visit through Bronson MyChart.
• Contact your primary care provider via telephone or through Bronson MyChart.

Note: If you develop emergency warning signs, get medical attention immediately.

These guidelines are based on directions from the State of Michigan and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This information will be updated if the testing criteria changes.

Human coronaviruses infect the respiratory tract, your nose, throat sinuses, and lungs. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, sore throat, muscle or body aches and loss of taste or smell. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Learn more about symptoms from the CDC.

Your health is important so we don’t want you putting off care you need. In addition to calling us for an appointment, current patients can now access primary care and most of our specialty care providers via a Bronson On Demand Video Visit. Learn more here. If during the video visit it is determined you need to see a provider in person, you will be directed to the appropriate care location. Many insurance policies cover video visits. Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage.

If you need care now and your doctor isn’t available or if you do not have a doctor, visit our Need Care Now page or call a Bronson Care Advisor 24/7 at (269) 341-7788.

Prior to surgery at a Bronson facility, you will be asked about COVID-19 symptoms and recent exposure. Based on the screening, you may need a COVID-19 test before surgery. This ensures safety for you and the medical team. You will be asked to minimize your chance of exposure between the time of screening and your surgery as well as report any new COVID-19 symptoms.

You do not need to stay home, but you should be tested, wear a high-quality mask when outside your home, and watch for symptoms for 10 days after you were last exposed. If you can’t wear a mask, you need to stay home for 10 days.You may have been infected with COVID-19 and you need to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others until you know whether you have been infected. If you start having symptoms, you need to stay home and get tested. The CDC provides guidance on wearing a mask and testing after an exposure. Learn more.

You will also be asked to self-quarantine for 72 hours prior to a scheduled surgical procedure. This will help to reduce the chance that you will be exposed to someone with COVID-19 prior to your surgery.

Isolation means you have COVID-19, you are contagious, and you could spread the virus to others. The isolation period for COVID-19 is 10 days and may be longer in some people. You need to stay home and avoid contact with others for at least 5 days. If you have no fever and most of your symptoms are gone, you may leave your house if you wear a mask until day 10. The CDC provides guidance on what to do if your provider or public health official instructs you or a loved one to isolate at home.

• Handwashing: Using soap and water wash for at least 20-30 seconds. If you are using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, make sure to thoroughly cover all surfaces on your hands and let dry. Both options are equally effective.
• Avoid touching your face: It’s estimated the average person touches their face at least once every two minutes. It’s especially important to avoid the T-Zone - your eyes, nose and mouth. That’s where viruses enter and leave your body.
• Social distancing: If you are going to an area where there are other people, avoid those who are sick, stay at least 6 feet from others, wear a facemask, and stay home if you are sick.
• Facemasks: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a facemask to cover your mouth and nose when you are around people you don’t live with or when going to a public place like a grocery store. Click here to view the CDC's guide to masks.
• Immunizations: COVID-19 vaccines are very effective in preventing serious disease and death due to the virus. COVID-19 vaccines also have booster doses to keep your protection as high as possible, and you should be sure to get all your recommended booster doses. Click here to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine at Bronson. Additionally, it’s important to keep up to date on all your immunizations, including the annual influenza vaccine
• Follow Travel Guidelines: The CDC regularly posts travel restrictions and guidelines based on disease outbreaks, special events and natural disasters. Be sure to consult those guidelines before travel. These can change frequently as COVID-19 spreads. Take note that if you do travel to some countries, you may be required to be quarantined upon your return. Click here for CDC Travel Health Notices.

Older adults, those with chronic diseases, those with compromised immune systems, and people who are pregnant. Click here for information about COVID-19 if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For information about the vaccine or to schedule an appointment, click here.

There are two types of treatments for COVID-19; monoclonal antibody drugs help your immune system fight the infection and antiviral drugs inhibit the virus directly. All the treatments work best if given early, so if you discover that you have COVID-19, it is important to discuss treatment with your doctor as soon as possible, preferably within a few days of your symptoms.

The Bronson Health Foundation Rapid Response Fund has been created to support Bronson's immediate response to the fast-moving global spread of COVID-19. Click here for more information or contact the Bronson Health Foundation at (269) 341-8100, healthfoundation@bronsonhg.org or bronsonfoundation.com.