Gerber Memorial urges people to use phone and online chat for COVID-19 screening, avoid leaving homes

March 18, 2020

FREMONT, Mich., March 18, 2020 – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is urging people to use Spectrum Health’s free screening options for the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Spectrum Health’s phone and virtual screening options can help those who have symptoms and may be concerned they have the virus. The purpose is to prevent the spread of illness by enabling people to seek the information they need from their homes, while making it easy and convenient for them. Gerber Memorial advises people to take the following steps from their home:

Visit spectrumhealth.org/covid19 to stay informed and review free screening options.
For people in the state of Michigan and experiencing symptoms, get screened by calling Spectrum Health’s hotline at 616.391.2380 or by using Spectrum Health’s virtual chat found on spectrumhealth.org/covid19.
Spectrum Health providers will determine if a person needs further evaluation and, if so, provide instructions for specimen collection.

“Spectrum Health is focused on providing our community with a free service that allows people who may have symptoms of COVID-19 to get answers while staying home and preventing the spread of the coronavirus,” said Shelly Johnson, chief operating officer and interim market leader for Gerber Memorial. “We urge people to call or use our online chat function and avoid leaving their home. Our virtual screening options will let people know if they need further evaluations. Gerber Memorial and our staff are working round-the-clock to make sure the families we serve get the answers and the care they need.”

People are asked not to go to Gerber Memorial’s hospital or the temporary lab relocated from the hospital to Tamarac at 1401 W. Main in Fremont if they have symptoms. The relocated lab is for people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Hours for the relocated lab, which will remain open to the public, are: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lab will be closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Callers to the hotline will be scheduled for a virtual video visit and assisted with downloading the Spectrum Health Now app. During the virtual video visit, individuals will be asked questions about their condition by a Spectrum Health provider who will advise whether they need to seek additional care. The patient may select the caregiver of their choice if they need further evaluation. It is not necessary to be a Spectrum Health patient to use the service and receive the free screening. Spectrum Health is offering this service to individuals in the state of Michigan.

Contact:
Azlan Ibrahim
Communications Manager
Office: 231.924.1264
Mobile: 616.227-1940
Email: azlan.ibrahim@spectrumhealth.org