Testing for Coronavirus/COVID-19: Where Should You Go?
If you become sick with a respiratory illness, you may wonder – is it coronavirus? And where can I seek testing?
Availability of Testing
Bates County Memorial Hospital and Family Care Clinics have supplies available to collect specimens for CoVID-19. Specimens will be sent to LabCorp for testing. Results are expected approximately 3-5 days after specimen collection. A provider order is required for specimens to be collected and tested for CoVID-19.
Guidelines for Testing
BCMH follows guidelines for testing set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A health care provider may decide on a case by case basis to test a patient for COVID-19 based on travel history, symptoms and medical assessment.
As this is a rapidly evolving situation, these guidelines may change. Use the following guidelines if you are unsure whether you should be seen for testing:
- In close contact with someone
confirmed to have COVID-19 and NOT experiencing symptoms:
- Contact the Health Department. In Bates County, Missouri, call the Bates County Health Center: 660-679-6108, open 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- In close contact with someone
confirmed to have COVID-19 and experiencing symptoms that include coughing, fever and/or
shortness of breath:
- Please call ahead before presenting to the emergency department, Family Care Clinics or any other health clinic and inform providers if you have respiratory illness and have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 patient and need to be seen. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness.
“Close contact” is defined by the CDC as—
a) being within approximately 6 feet of a COVID-19 case for
a prolonged period of time; close contact can occur while caring for, living
with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19
case
– or –
b) having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case
(e.g., being coughed on).
If you have recently been in / traveled to an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 (as of March 10, areas affected include China, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and Iran):
- There may be restrictions on your movements for up to 2 weeks. If you develop symptoms during that period (fever, cough, trouble breathing), seek medical advice. Call the emergency room or the office of your health care provider before you go, and tell them about your travel and your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness.
There are simple things you can do to keep yourself and others healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as light switches, door knobs, faucet handles, and cell phones.
Bates County Memorial Hospital has taken all appropriate and necessary precautions for the safety and well-being of our community. In compliance with our infectious disease protocols, we will remain vigilant and continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Missouri Department of Health guidelines.
For the latest criteria on testing for COVID-19, refer to the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html
Contact the BCMH Emergency Department and Family Care Clinics:
Emergency Department:
660-200-7050
Family Care Clinics Scheduling: 660-200-3627
Adrian Family Care Clinic: 816-297-2640
High Street Family Care Clinic: 660-200-7135
Nursery Street Family Care Clinic: 660-200-7133
Rich Hill Family Care Clinic: 417-395-2155
