COVID-19 Self-Triage Tool
Use the Bronson MyChart Symptom Checker to find out if you need to be tested for COVID-19. Simply enter your symptoms (or exposure) into the self-triage screening tool and, if needed, set up a test. To get started, sign in to Bronson MyChart. Don't have a Bronson MyChart account? Sign up now.
Login to use the Symptom Checker
COVID-19 vaccines have begun arriving in southwest Michigan. Learn more. Visit this page often for important updates, prevention tips and what to do if you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell. We also continue to see patients for non-COVID-19 care in our practices, emergency departments and hospitals.
About COVID-19
COVID-19 is a strain of coronavirus that is easily spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets or by contact with an infected surface or object. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
What should you do if you have COVID-19 symptoms?
If you suspect that you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay home and take one of the following next steps:
- Check your symptoms using the Bronson MyChart Symptom Checker.
- Call a Bronson Care Advisor at (269) 341-7788
- Contact your primary care provider via telephone or through Bronson MyChart
- Do an On Demand Video Visit through Bronson MyChart
It's important to stay home, outside of seeking urgent medical care, to avoid infecting other people. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow and then immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer and dispose of used tissues. Learn more from the CDC.
The hospital is intended for those who are very sick. You should not go to the hospital if you are only mildly ill. If warning signs of complications appear, you should go to the emergency room. Those signs include: trouble breathing, bluish skin color, unable to eat or drink, unresponsive, sudden dizziness, confusion, or flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return.
COVID-19 Bronson Information
This data is current as of 12:01 a.m. on 2/24/21
COVID-19 Testing through Bronson
|
Positive |
Negative |
Pending |
| Cumulative Patients |
13,417 |
129,058 |
2,229 |
COVID-19 Inpatient Data at Bronson
|
Current Positive Patients in Hospital* |
Cumulative Recoveries** |
Cumulative Deaths** |
| Bronson Battle Creek |
7 |
488 |
73 |
| Bronson LakeView |
0 |
50 |
2 |
| Bronson Methodist |
18 |
884 |
133 |
| Bronson South Haven |
0 |
45 |
1 |
| System Total |
25 |
1,467 |
209 |
* This is a snapshot of current inpatients with positive COVID-19
** Recoveries and deaths reported do not necessarily reflect county of residence.
COVID-19 Testing Guidelines:
Who can get tested for COVID-19?
- Symptomatic Patients: Testing may be an option if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Fever more than 100.4°F
- Additional symptoms may include chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste/smell, 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 require testing for 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 a certain destination that requires a negative test for entry
- Workers who require testing as part of a government mandated clearance process
- Asymptomatic people who have had prolonged close contact with a COVID-19-positive patient in the last 14 days. To avoid false negatives, testing is recommended 5-7 days after last known exposure.
- If you are presenting symptoms or meet the asymptomatic requirements, please take the following steps:
- The criteria and decision about who gets tested is dependent upon your risk and the availability of testing supplies.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19
What are the signs and symptoms of coronavirus and COVID-19 infection?
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.
How can I get care when it’s not related to COVID-19?
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.
Do I need a COVID-19 test before my surgery?
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.
I've been instructed to self-quarantine at home. What does that mean?
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.
How can I reduce my risk for COVID-19 and other viruses, like the flu?
- 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: 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.
How is Bronson prepared for COVID-19?
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.
Where can I find updates on COVID-19 and policy changes at Bronson?
We try to post all of our updates on this page and on our news section.
Here are a few to be aware of:
Who is most at risk?
Older adults and those with chronic diseases and compromised immune systems. Click here for information about COVID-19 if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
I was told once that I had coronavirus, are all coronaviruses COVID-19?
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.
Is there a vaccine for COVID-19 infection?
Yes, a vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19. The current vaccine is given in two doses, 21 days (3 weeks) apart. It is critical that both doses are received.
Due to supply limitations, the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is limited to healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities in the initial phase. The goal is for everyone to be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as supply increases. The State of Michigan has broken this down further into phases. Learn more.
Are there treatments COVID-19 infection?
According to the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one drug, remdesivir (VEKLURY), to treat COVID-19. In certain situations under an FDA emergency use authorization, health providers may be allowed to use other products not yet approved or approved for other uses to treat patients with COVID-19. Learn more.
What if I want to make a monetary donation to Bronson?
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.
CDC Planning Resources
Additional Resources About COVID-19
