Cullman Regional Medical Center is now able to test for the novel coronavirus through its resource lab, Mayo Medical Laboratory.

Vice President of Marketing Lindsey Dossey said the doctors could start testing as early as today, and it will take the lab 3-4 days to get results back on each test. The cost for individuals not covered by insurance is $1,057.50.

She said doctors can perform the tests in their offices and send the specimens to the lab. 

The hospital continues to pre-screen patients for COVID-19 at the entrance of both the Urgent Care & Emergency Department. Patients with flu-like systems will be asked to wear a mask and moved to a private area away from other patients immediately upon arrival.

Community members who have flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, body aches and/or sore throat), should call their doctor for instructions before presenting to any healthcare clinic unexpectedly.

If you do not have a doctor, Cullman Regional’s Virtual Care is currently available for screening. Visit CullmanRegionalMedicalGroup.com to access Virtual Care, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The hospital is following CDC guidance on testing for the virus. According to these guidelines, an initial screening is done to identify if they have the following:

• Fever, cough, respiratory illness – all patients who present with this are asked to place a mask on to protect all other patients and staff.

• Travel history over the past 14 days outside of the United States to one of the known infected COVID-19 areas – China, Italy, Iran, Japan or South Korea

• Have they come in contact with someone who traveled outside of the United States to one of the known infected areas and then became sick. These patients are moved to private areas for further evaluation.

• Or have the patients had prolonged contact with someone who had a confirmed positive test for COVID-19.

Visitor restrictions are now also in place to protect patients at the hospital, urgent care centers, medical group office and the Surgery Center of Cullman.

“Although our community is currently at low-risk for coronavirus (COVID-19), we feel that it is in the best interest of our patients to restrict visitation while they are in our facility,” Cullman Regional Chief Medical Officer William Smith, MD said.

Visitation restrictions include:

• No visitors under the age of 16, even when an adult is with them. With exceptions for extraordinary circumstances which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• No more than two visitors at a time per room.

• Visitors will be required to sanitize hands when entering the hospital and when entering and exiting any patient rooms.

• Anyone who has a fever, cough, body aches or sore throat should stay away from the facility unless they are seeking treatment.