On March 22, McLaren Northern Michigan received a presumptive positive COVID-19 result from the Michigan State Lab for a patient on our COVID isolation unit. The isolation unit was started on March 13 and this patient was admitted to the unit on March 17.
This first positive result reinforces the reasons McLaren Northern Michigan acted quickly in putting together processes and procedures that will protect our employees, patients, and community.
“In our preparation we have implemented proper training for personal protection equipment, created a standalone unit to treat respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, and trained critical care nurses and staff caring for those patients,” stated Andrew McDonagh, MD, Chief Medical Officer at McLaren Northern Michigan.
Due to HIPAA, McLaren Northern Michigan will not give personal information regarding any persons under investigation or positive COVID-19 patients in its care. The privacy of our patients, staff, and medical professionals are our first priorities.
Patients experiencing mild respiratory illness symptoms are encouraged to stay home and self-isolate. Please make sure that you call your primary care physician to let them know the symptoms you are experiencing. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
For more information or if you do not have a primary care provider, please call our Phone Triage Hotline at 231.487.5550, it is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
Most patients will experience mild symptoms, often able to self-quarantine in their homes. However, if you or a loved one is experiencing serious or life-threatening illness, please go to the nearest emergency room.
Get a daily email update from McLaren Northern Michigan, go to mclaren.org/northerncovid19newsedical and surgical specialties, enabling full-service care with an emphasis on heart, cancer, orthopedics, and neuroscience services. For additional information, visit mclaren.org/northern.
Actions to Protect You ad Your Loved Ones
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as doorknobs, light switches, and phones.
About McLaren Northern Michigan
McLaren Northern Michigan, a subsidiary of McLaren Health Care, is a 202-bed, regional referral center located in Petoskey, serving residents in 22 counties across northern lower Michigan and the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula. Over 230 physicians representing nearly all medical and surgical specialties, enabling full-service care with an emphasis on heart, cancer, orthopedics, and neuroscience services. For additional information, visit mclaren.org/northern.