Published: Aug. 5, 2020
SARANAC, MI – Sparrow Ionia Hospital and the Ionia County Health Department are combining to offer COVID-19 nasal swab testing at a special one-day event in Saranac on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church parking lot, 6070 David Highway, Saranac.
A nasal swab (or PCR) test determines whether or not you have an active COVID-19 infection at the time the sample is collected. It’s a molecular test that is reviewed at Sparrow Laboratories. Nearly 200 people were swabbed at similar events held recently in Ionia, Belding and Lake Odessa.
Residents can attend without having a doctor’s order in advance. No money will be collected onsite and Sparrow will bill those with medical insurance.
“Sparrow Ionia Hospital has been working collaboratively with the Ionia County Health Department to ensure the health and safety of our community,” said Sparrow Ionia President Linda Reetz. “Again, the goal is to protect the community we serve as our county and state begin to reintroduce people back into the workforce.”
Those seeking more information can contact the ICHD at 616.527.5341.
“One of the most effective ways to contain any epidemic is widespread testing,” said Ionia County Health Officer Ken Bowen. “We encourage anyone who has symptoms, who may have been exposed, or who will be returning to work to get tested.”
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Sparrow Ionia Hospital is a subsidiary of Sparrow Health System. As Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization, Sparrow includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as
well as Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.