March 28, 2020

As your community hospital, it is important that we share with you what we are doing to respond to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation here in Eaton Rapids. To date, we have had two confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC). We are awaiting test results for several individuals, and there will surely be more positive cases to come.

We activated our Incident Command on March 13, 2020 to further guide our emergency response to this virus. Our Emergency Preparedness Team updated our surge plan, which looks at all the “what if’s” of a situation and develops a response plan for each circumstance. We are working closely with local agencies and hospitals to manage operations and secure and apply resources. Our highest priority is to protect our patients and staff.

We are following guidance from the Barry-Eaton District Health Department (ERMC), MDHHS, and the CDC. We are screening all employees, patients and visitors before they are allowed to enter ERMC. Our employees are using standard and transmission-based precautions as recommended when caring for patients.

Many of our wonderful community members and businesses have reached out asking how to help. Eaton Rapids Medical Center is collecting COVID-19 response donations. We are seeking face masks, protective eyewear and gloves. We will accept trunk or back seat deliveries at the tent in front of the hospital Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. We can also accept monetary donations at www.eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org/about/foundation.

We have received an outpouring of donations from many of you. A group of amazing women have made us hundreds of masks, Eaton Rapids Public Schools donated personal protective equipment and local restaurants and organizations have been dropping off food for our staff. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We’d especially like to thank the little ones who have sent notes and art of appreciation and encouragement for our employees to our Facebook page. It means the world to us.

Everyone can help us by complying with the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. Please take this seriously. If you must go out, wash your hands often. Focus on the basics of infection prevention.

If you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19 — or have a fever, cough and other respiratory symptoms — please call 1-517-663-2671 for instructions before you come to Eaton Rapids Medical Center.

With the exception of emergencies, all who enter must visit a mandatory check-in tent to be screened first. There is one by the Main Entrance and one by the Family Practice & Redicare Entrance. After hours, please proceed to the Emergency Entrance.

We are not currently testing for coronavirus on a drive-up or walk-in basis due to a national shortage of supplies and testing capacity. We are only testing patients who meet certain criteria in our Emergency Department or Redicare, and it is taking 7 to 12 days for us to get the results. For information on testing locations, please call Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) hotline at 1-888-535-6136. The hotline will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our first responders, the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, Eaton County Emergency Management, the City of Eaton Rapids and employees of essential businesses who sustain our lives. Thank you also to our exceptional team at Eaton Rapids Medical Center.

We are here and prepared to care for you in this time of need. It is truly a privilege to care for this outstanding community.

For the latest ERMC updates on COVID-19, please visit www.eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org/coronavirus.

Tim Johnson
ERMC President & CEO