Coronavirus Testing Guidelines

As Michigan’s COVID-19 case count rises, patients want to know when they need to be tested for the virus.

As recently as last week, the answer would have focused on questions about known exposure from recent air travel, cruises and contacts with known Coronavirus positive cases.

As the virus spreads across our state (110 cases as of March 18th), the guidelines are changing rapidly. Now, clinicians are looking primarily at SYMPTOMS. The Big Three are:
COUGH
FEVER
TROUBLE BREATHING

Presence of any one of these, if severe or persistent, MAY warrant testing if no other cause can be identified. If you are over the age of 60 and/or have a chronic medical condition this may increase your risk and the need for testing. These conditions include:
COPD/Emphysema
Heart Disease/Hypertension
Diabetes
Chronic Kidney Disease
Asthma
Cancer
Immunodeficiency

Any two or three of the Big Three symptoms of COVID-19 SHOULD warrant testing for Coronavirus. This is now true regardless of exposure history. If you meet the above criteria, or think you might, you may need to be tested. This is especially true if you live with people with serious chronic medical conditions or the elderly.

LOCAL TESTING AVAILABILITY

• Beaumont Hospital in Troy – Curbside testing is available from 6am-2am.
• Village Health can provide curbside testing on an individual basis, AFTER a telephone visit, if the doctor approves it based on a clinical risk assessment. Call us anytime at (586) 752-7256. We are open 24/7.

Note: we are rapidly working to provide telemedicine services to all of our patients and will make an announcement when this becomes available.