SSM Health in Southern Illinois will begin using new COVID-19 collection sites at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia and Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon on Monday to improve the efficiency at each location.
The Vice President of Operations for the SSM Health Medical Group says the new locations allow them to test more efficiently and provide climate-controlled environments for our staff to work in.
In Centralia, the collection site will move from the Express Clinic on 1003 E. McCord Street to the SSM Health Medical Group Primary Care office at 1441 W. Broadway.
In Mt. Vernon, the collection site will remain at the Express Clinic location on 42nd street, but the collection tent has been moved approximately 60 feet north of the building. Patients will enter the
collection site between Peoples National Bank Corporate Center and the 42nd Street Plaza Shopping Center.
Both locations include new registration pods and larger drive-thru tents. After completing a virtual visit on ssmhealth.com, patients should present to the registration pod and they will then be directed to the swabbing station.
Hours for both collection sites are Monday – Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
The most efficient and timely way to receive your test results is through MyChart. You can set up a MyChart account today at https://mychart.ssmhc.com/MyChart/signup.
Please keep the following things in mind to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) if you are sick:
- Stay home (or other location approved by public health). This means do not go to work, school, or public areas.
- While at home separate yourself from other people in your home. As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
- Avoid sharing personal household items. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
- Wash your hands often and practice good hygiene.
- Wear a face mask if you need to be around other people and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze. Postpone all non-essential medical appointments until you have been cleared by public health. If you have an essential appointment during this period, please tell your local health department who will help coordinate the visit.
- If you need emergency medical attention any time, call 911 and let them know that you are being evaluated for novel coronavirus. Contact your local health department. If you require medical assistance, your local health department will tell you how to get to a doctor if an ambulance is not required. Do not use public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
