COVID-19 Information for WMED Health Patients

Face Mask Requirements

Following OSHA requirements, face masks are required for all individuals in healthcare facilities regardless of vaccination status. If you do not have a face mask we will provide one to you upon entry to our WMed Health facilities. We must refuse entrance and service to patients who do not comply.

COVID-19 Testing

We are providing COVID-19 testing for current established WMed Health patients with insurance during a scheduled visit. 

Non-WMed patients should check the State of Michigan coronavirus testing site to find a testing location nearby.

  • About Your COVID-19 Test Results

    Thank you for coming to WMed Health for your COVID-19 testing. Your doctor has ordered a virus detection test, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), by obtaining a nasal swab to determine if you are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

    • This is not a rapid test.
    • We send your test to a laboratory in Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo to be processed.
    • Results take between 3 to 5 business days, and possibly longer because of holidays.
    • You will receive a call from us as soon your results are available. They are also posted in the Test Results section of your WMed MyChart. Refer to the Patient MyChart Activation instructions to active your account.
    • If you have not heard from us after the 5th business day, please call us at 269-337-6577, press option 2.
  • While You Are Waiting for Your Test Result

    Stay home, isolate yourself, wear a well-fitting mask if around others, and monitor your health. Symptoms may appear 2-10 days after exposure and can include:

    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Muscle or body ache
    • Headache
    • Diarrhea
    • Tiredness
  • If You Test Positive for COVID-19

    Take immediate next steps to help stop the spread. Continue to stay home, isolate yourself, and monitor your health.

    • Stay home for 5 days.
    • Stay away from everyone else in your household and wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others.
    • Let your employer know you have COVID-19.
    • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
    • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
    • If you have a fever, continue to stay home until the fever resolves.
    • Notify your recent contacts and give them the exposure instructions.

    Exposure Instructions

    • Wear a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed.
    • Take a test on day 5 unless you had COVID-19 in the last 30 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
    • If you had COVID-19 in the last 30 days only test if you develop symptoms.
    • If person develops symptoms, get a test, and stay home.

We Care About Your Health and Safety

WMed Health, the clinical practice of the medical school, is readily available, prepared and responsive to meet the needs of our patients. We are focused on the safety of our patients and our care team. We are open and available to meet your healthcare needs. We understand the fear and uncertainty you may be feeling about coming into a doctor’s office. Your health and safety are our top priority.

In-Person Visits: We offer in-person visits for our patients who request them or need to be seen by their provider.

Telehealth: We have telehealth with video and telephone options. Contact us to schedule your next visit. We will review your chart to determine the best type of appointment for you and your health situation. Click here to learn more about telehealth.

Enhanced Safety Guidelines: Your safety is our top priority. We have made some changes to protect you and to prevent the spread of infection. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our protocols for your safety.

Face Masks Provided and Required:  Wearing a face mask in a healthcare setting is required by MIOSHA. We can provide with a face mask if you need one. We must refuse entry and service if you do not comply. We have a separate, dedicated entrance and exam room for patients suspected of having COVID-19.

Personal Protective Equipment: Our providers and staff wear surgical masks at all times. During direct patient care they will also wear a face shield or goggles. You may also see them wearing additional personal protective equipment like gloves, gowns, N95 masks or other equipment to keep you safe and to limit their exposure to infectious diseases.

Waiting Room Precautions: Plexiglass shields are in place at our registration desks.There are also separate areas for sick and well patients.

Comprehensive Cleaning: Our facilities team deep cleans our buildings often and cleans and disinfects high-touch areas. Hand sanitizer dispensers are readily available. You are encouraged to sanitize your hands often, especially when you arrive and before you leave.

Please call us at 269.337.4600 to schedule your next appointment or if you have questions about your care.

COVID-19 FAQs

  • What is COVID-19?
    COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus, which has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans.
  • How is COVID-19 spread?
    COVID-19 appears to spread most easily through close contact with an infected person. When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, small droplets are released and, if you are too close, you can breathe in the virus.
  • What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
    In most cases, COVID-19 causes mild symptoms, including cough and fever. It can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. In some cases, infection can lead to death. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • Who is at most risk for COVID-19?

    Some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

    • Older adults
    • People who have serious or chronic medical conditions like:
      • Heart disease
      • Diabetes
      • Lung Disease
      • Cancer
  • How can I protect myself from getting COVID-19?

    COVID-19 FAQsGet vaccinated

    Get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster to protect yourself from the virus to to reduce the change of hospitalization if you do test positive for COVID-19.

    Wash your hands frequently

    Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

    Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills viruses that may be on your hands.

    Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

    Why? Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.

    Maintain social distancing and wear a face mask in public

    Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people and wear a face mask in public.

    Why? When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

    COVID-19 FAQsDo not touch your eyes, nose and mouth

    Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

    COVID-19 FAQsPractice respiratory hygiene

    Make sure you and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash and washing your hands.

    Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

  • I think I have COVID-19. What should I do?

    Stay home if you have mild symptoms

    Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover. Call and inform your healthcare provider. He or she can tell you if you need to get tested and how you can get tested. 

    Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

    COVID-19 FAQsCall Us

    Before you seek care, call WMed Health at 269.337.4600. Tell us about your symptoms, or if you think you need to be evaluated for COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19 is everywhere. But we can tell you if you need to get tested and how you can get tested.

    Wear a face mask 

    When in public, wear a face mask over your nose and mouth.

    When to seek immediate care

    If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:

    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
    • New confusion or inability to be woken up by others
    • Bluish lips or face

Updated: March 22, 2023