Human coronaviruses infect the nose, throat and sinuses and cause cold-like symptoms: runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and sometimes a low-grade fever. The two symptoms that are most common in COVID-19 patients are fever, chills, lower respiratory disease (cough, shortness of breath) 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 MyChart 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 the cost of 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.

Yes. All patients undergoing a surgical procedure at a Bronson facility are tested for COVID-19 within a 72-hour period prior to surgery. This ensures your safety as well as our staff’s safety. You will be contacted by Bronson to schedule the test as part of the pre-admission process. You will also be asked to self-quarantine from the time of your test to the day of your surgery.

If you are suspected to have COVID-19, or you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 but do not need to be hospitalized, you will be instructed to quarantine yourself at home to prevent the spread of the virus. The CDC provides guidance on what to do if your provider or public health official instructs you or a loved one to self-quarantine at home. 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.

• 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 home if you are sick; cover your cough.
• Facemasks: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended using a cloth 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. Healthcare workers should follow instructions about the proper personal protective equipment to use when caring for patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
• Immunizations: While there is not a vaccine for coronavirus yet, it’s still 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.

Bronson is following the COVID-19 recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). There are some similarities with our preparations and precautions for SARS, Ebola, MERS, H1N1 influenza, and Zika so we had good plans in place for these types of situations. Bronson has a team that discusses prevention and preparation each day and monitors the latest information from the CDC. The team includes emergency preparedness members from each of our four hospitals, system infection prevention personnel and Bronson practice management. Our team is also working with state, regional and county leaders to address COVID-19 related needs.

Bronson continues to monitor our supply inventory to make sure there are enough supplies should there be a shortage due to an interruption in the supply chain.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, Bronson screens sick patients for travel history or connection with someone who recently arrived from the source areas, and we have protocols to isolate and treat suspected patients safely.

We try to post all of our updates on this page and on our news section.

Here are a few to be aware of:

• Bronson Healthcare Resumes Services as COVID-19 Declines in Our Area
• New Visitor Restrictions Now in Place
• Update on COVID-19 testing at Bronson starting March 29
• Bronson has temporary closed all Bronson FastCare^® locations starting March 27
• Bronson is postponing elective surgeries starting March 18
• Bronson suspends some additional services starting March 18
• Bronson Confirms First Patient Hospitalized with COVID-19, March 22

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

Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses, some of which infect humans and other types infect various other animals. Human coronaviruses are common and they cause upper respiratory infections that are usually not serious. They are described as common cold viruses that cause mild symptoms. COVID-19 is a different strain of coronavirus and is not the same as ordinary human coronavirus.

There are no FDA-approved drugs that treat coronaviruses or vaccines that prevent infection. There are some drugs being developed, but they have not been completely tested yet. Researchers are working on treatments and vaccines. We give hospitalized patients supportive care such as respiratory support, if needed, until their lungs recover from the infection.

Due to the critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting supplies nationwide, Bronson Healthcare is asking the community for donations of specific new or unused items, as well as home-sewn face masks. Click here for more information.

If you are a manufacturer/business and have the ability to produce critically needed items, please let us know. Fill out this form, and let us know what items you’d be willing to make to donate or sell. Click here for more information.

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.