Testing Opportunities in Calhoun
Getting tested for COVID-19 is the surest way to understand whether you are currently infected. In Calhoun County, there are multiple ways to be tested for COVID-19. Accessibility to testing is determined by state recommendations or healthcare providers and vary by site. It is recommended that you always call beforehand. Especially for individuals that feel symptoms of COVID-19, start by calling your healthcare provider, who might provide more specific instructions for testing.
But testing is accessible to anyone and encouraged if you have any reason to suspect you might have COVID-19. Find testing near you in one of two ways:
CALL 211
Once you call 211, you will input your zip code to reach local services. Continue to follow the voice instructions to find information on testing sites or to make an appointment.
VISIT MICHIGAN.GOV/CORONAVIRUS
On the State's COVID-19 page, michigan.gov/coronavirus, click Find a Test Site. A search function allows you to search within 5-50 miles, or more, from your zip code. Filters allow users to narrow results by cost or symptoms and doctor's orders required. Each listing provides information on location, guidelines for that site, website and phone number.
Remember:
- Call ahead
- Get tested if you start feeling sick
- Get tested if someone close to you is sick or has symptoms
- Even if you test negative, always take preventive measures to protect yourself and others
On the state's MI Safe Start Map, www.mistartmap.info, information is provided regarding daily testing numbers. This helps measure public health capacity and access to testing. For months, Calhoun has sought to achieve 1% testing of Calhoun's population weekly to ensure that measurement of the virus's presence in our community is consistently being evaluated. It wasn't until the last few weeks that Calhoun has started to achieve a consistent 1% weekly testing rate. However, this is not directly connected to increased testing of the everyday public. Calhoun reaches its 1% testing goal now due to the Governor's new executive order which requires long-term care facilities to test employees every single day for 14 days after a single positive case. Inevitably this leads to higher testing numbers. Therefore, Calhoun County's Public Health Department continues to encourage that anyone who might be positive, get tested.
"It's important that anyone who is feeling sick or is close to someone who has symptoms is tested so that we can mitigate the spread of the virus in our community," said Public Health Officer Eric Pessell. "Testing is crucial for all of us to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 in Calhoun."
COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of smell or taste
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Consumers Outage on August 9
There will an outage for Consumers customers at 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 9 for approximately 15 minutes. The back-up outage date is Monday, August 10 at the same time. The outage area covers parts of Calhoun County, specifically the City of Battle Creek and Emmett, Newton and Leroy Townships, from Golden Street to the North, 6 1/2 Mile Rd to the East, 47th Street to the West and H Drive S to the South. This affects approximately 6,348 customers.
Resources for Parents
Summit Pointe is creating a series of parenting newsletters, in an effort to support the community's youth and families during the pandemic. You can see the latest edition here on the Summit Pointe website, summitpointe.org under publications, or click here for a direct link.
It includes information on helping children deal with worries, encouraging safekeeping, and helping children communicate their feelings with an emotion chart.
For more information, follow Summit Pointe on Facebook @SummitPointeCMH and visit their website. Call them at 269-966-1460; the youth crisis line at 269-441-5945; the 24-hour crisis line at 800-632-5449; or text the crisis number 741741.
CCPHD Service Hours Expanded
Clinic Services
The CCPHD Clinic has expanded its services to four-days in each Albion and Battle Creek locations. Clients requesting STD/HIV, Immunizations, TB Testing (no testing on Thursday), and Family Planning services will be seen by appointment. Please call 969-6363 (Battle Creek) or 517-629-9434 (Albion) to schedule an appointment. Services are offered from Monday–Thursday 8am – 12:30 & 1-4:30 (last appointment scheduled at 3:30).
Environmental Health Services
Environmental Health office hours are 8:00 – 5:30 (closed 12:30-1:00) Monday-Thursday and Friday 8-Noon. Please call 269-969-6341 for EH specific services and questions.
Childhood Hearing and Vision Screening
Required childhood hearing and vision screenings are currently being scheduled within schools. CCPHD is also offering walk-in screening from 8-Noon and 1-4 on the days listed below. Please call 269-969-6389 to leave a message to schedule an appointment. Please note that due to the technician screening at schools most days, you will most likely receive a call back between 4pm and 6pm to schedule.
- Tuesday, August 18
- Wednesday, August 19
- Thursday, August 20
- Tuesday, August 25
- Wednesday, August 26
- Thursday, August 27
- Tuesday, September 1
- Wednesday, September 2
- Thursday, September 3
Board of Health Seeks New Members
The Calhoun County Board of Health (CCBOH) is recruiting two members to fill current vacancies. The Board of Health, as delegated by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners, oversees the Calhoun County Public Health Department's work to promote health, prevent disease and protect the health of Calhoun County citizens.
Individuals with the following experience are encouraged to apply,
- Representative of Albion, Homer, east side of Calhoun County
- Residents of Calhoun County
- Healthcare and/or public health experience
