April 10, 2020 – You develop a little cough. Maybe you’re feeling run down. Maybe you feel you might have a low-grade fever. You are starting to think you have Coronavirus. What do you do?
The first thing YOU DO NOT DO is go to the ER, Urgent Care or show up at your doctor’s office. State health officials and the CDC say doing so can only put you and others at risk.
So what do you do?:
Because testing is not widely available to the general public, it is imperative that community members, whether feeling ill or well, implement social distancing best practices to limit the spread and contraction of COVID-19. This means staying home and away from as many people as possible as often as possible.
If you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, do not present at a hospital emergency room or doctor’s office unless it is a true emergency. Call your primary care physician first. Individuals without a primary care physician can call:
• DMH Medical Group at (217) 876-2856
• HSHS Medical Group Patient Advocate at 844-520-8897
• Crossing Healthcare at (217) 877-9117
• SIU at (217) 872-3800
For COVID-19 screening, the following resources are available:
• Memorial Health System’s respiratory screening clinic located at DMH Express Care East (4455 U.S. Route 36 East); open seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Before coming to the respiratory clinic, individuals should call (217) 876-1200.
• HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital 24/7 COVID-19 Hotline at (217) 464-2966
• HSHS Medical Group offers free virtual assessments for COVID-19 at www.anytimecare.com
Anyone entering healthcare facilities should be prepared to be screened before entering.
