Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can be very contagious and can spread quickly. COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill.

Birkam Health Center continues to follow CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19. At this time, the CDC has lifted isolation and masking requirements.

If you are sick, with any signs or symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, influenza, Covid-19, or the common cold; best practice is to stay home until you are fever free and symptoms of the illness are improving without the use of medication.

Testing for COVID-19

Testing and treatment for Covid-19 are offered at the Birkam Health Center with an appointment to be evaluated by a provider and determine if testing is appropriate.

At this time we are not able to offer free testing

The Health Center offers two types of Covid-19 tests:

• Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), including PCR tests, are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests. NAATs tests are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests
• Antigen tests are rapid tests that usually produce results in 15-30 minutes. Positive results are accurate and reliable. However, in general, antigen tests are less likely to detect the virus than NAAT tests, especially when symptoms are not present. Therefore, a single negative antigen test cannot rule out infection.

Self-tests (at-home antigen tests) are available for purchase without the need for an appointment at the Health Center online (Amazon) or in pharmacies and retail stores. If you have health insurance, it may reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests.

Order your free COVID-19 tests at the end of September. U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. COVID-19 Testing (hhs.gov) Free NAAT or antigen tests may also be available through your local health department.

Signs and Symptoms

The following list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. Possible symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Feeling Sick?

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause.

Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

Risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19

Some people are more likely than others to get very sick if they get COVID-19. This includes people who:

• are older
• are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system)
• have certain disabilities or
• have underlying health conditions

Vaccine

At this time, Birkam Health Center is not offering COVID-19 vaccines. If you are interested in getting vaccinated, in Big Rapids, our local health department offers resources.

District Health Department Resources

There are also several local pharmacies in Big Rapids, including Walgreens, Meijer, Walmart and Hometown that offer the COVID-19 vaccine.