COVID-19 Information
Protect yourself and the community.
Our hospital continually works to prepare for all types of infectious diseases. We take proactive steps to protect our patients, health care workers, and the community. We constantly monitor ongoing COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and implement their recommendations.
For questions about COVID-19 or for testing locations, call the Macoupin County Public Health Department COVID-19 Hotline at 217-313-5078.
Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics is not considered a testing site. There will be a charge for your visit, billed as a regular office visit co-pay. When utilizing our clinic for testing, your results will be given to you by a provider and an exam will be done.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
One or more of the following symptoms could be an indicator of COVID-19:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
More serious symptoms may include any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Loss of speech of movement
Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms or call 911.
How long does it take to get the PCR results back?
PCR tests administered by a medical professional may take anywhere from 24-48 hours to show conclusive results.
What should I do if I am exposed but do not have a PCP?
Contact your local health department or come to our Walk-in Clinic if you are experiencing symptoms.
If you have been boosted or fully vaccinated less than six months ago with Pfizer or Moderna (or less than two months ago with Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days (beginning the day after known exposure).
- Test on the fifth or seventh day if possible.
- Get tested and stay home if symptoms appear.
If you haven’t been boosted and were fully vaccinated more than six months ago with Pfizer or Moderna (or less than two months ago with Johnson & Johnson) or are unvaccinated:
- Stay home for five days.
- Continue to wear a mask for five additional days (through Day 10).
- If you cannot quarantine, wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test between the fifth and seventh days, if possible.
- Get tested and stay home if symptoms appear.
What should I do if I’ve only had one vaccine and have been exposed to COVID-19?
If you have been boosted or fully vaccinated less than six months ago with Pfizer or Moderna (or less than two months ago with Johnson & Johnson):
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days (beginning the day after known exposure).
- Test on the fifth or seventh day if possible.
- Get tested and stay home if symptoms appear.
If you have not been boosted and were fully vaccinated more than six months ago with Pfizer or Moderna (or less than two months ago with Johnson & Johnson) or are unvaccinated:
- Stay home for five days.
- Continue to wear a mask for five additional days (through Day 10).
- If you cannot quarantine, wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test between the fifth and seventh days, if possible.
- Get tested and stay home if symptoms appear.
How long should I quarantine?
If you are positive for COVID-19, you should take the following precautions:
- Stay home for five days. Day 0 is day symptoms first started OR day of positive test if not having symptoms.
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are improving after five days, you may leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days (through Day 10).
- If you have a fever or worsening symptoms, continue to stay home (except to receive emergent medical care, if needed) until without fever for at least 24 hours without fever lowering medication — such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen — and symptoms are improving.
Do I quarantine if I am fully vaccinated?
Fully vaccinated individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should quarantine regardless of vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated and exposed, you do not need to quarantine unless you test positive or develop symptoms.
How can I tell if I have COVID-19 or the flu?
Symptoms of both COVID-19 and the flu are similar and can sometimes overlap. That’s why it is good to get tested to get a definitive answer.
How do I get just an order for a COVID-19 test?
Contact your primary care physician and obtain an order. If you do not have a PCP, you can contact your local health department or come to our walk-in clinic if you’re experiencing symptoms.
What over the counter or prescription meds are recommended to treat COVID-19 symptoms?
Please note, if you have chronic medical problems, especially heart problems, kidney problems, diabetes, or stomach ulcers, some of the medications may not be appropriate for you. Consult your primary care provider who knows you best before you take them.
- Neti pot or saline wash (twice daily) — This helps wash out extra mucus that can clog your nose, cause sinus pressure, and run down the back of your throat and make you cough.
- Acetaminophen — Over the counter tablets come in 325 mg and 500 mg tablets. Adult dosing is up to 1,000 mg per dose, up to three times per day every eight hours. Do not take more than 3,000 mg in 24 hours. This can be used for fever and pain.
- Ibuprofen — Over the counter tablets are 200 mg each. Adults can take three tablets (total of 600 mg) every six hours as needed for fever, muscle aches, and headache.
- Robitussin — Adult dose is 1-2 teaspoons every four to six hours as needed to help loosen mucus for cough.
- Honey — One teaspoon every couple hours as needed for cough. You can put this in tea or take it directly off the spoon. In some studies, honey worked as well as prescription medications for cough. Do not give to children under 1 year old.
- Zinc gluconate — Adult dose is one 13.3 mg lozenge dissolved in the mouth every four hours as needed, not to exceed six lozenges per day. Best when started 24-48 hours prior to onset of cold symptoms. May reduce duration of symptoms.
- Fluticasone nasal spray — Adult dose is two sprays per nostril daily. This reduces allergy symptoms.
- Hydrate — Water intake for most healthy adults is 64-100 ounces each day. This is variable depending on your health status.
- Maintain a healthy diet — Your body needs nutrients to complete its tasks and keep you healthy.
How long am I considered contagious after testing positive?
Precautions can be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and after resolution of fever for at least 24 hours and improvement of other symptoms. For people who are severely ill (i.e., those requiring hospitalization, intensive care, or ventilation support) or severely immunocompromised, extending the duration of isolation and precautions up to 20 days after symptom onset, resolution of fever, and improvement of other symptoms may be warranted.
What is considered an exposure?
If you are within 6 feet of a positive person for more than 15 minutes total in a 24-hour period without wearing a mask, you are considered exposed.
Can I come to the hospital to get a COVID-19 test?
Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics does provide testing with the following procedures in place:
A physician order needs to be obtained and faxed to the hospital scheduling department at 217-854-8566. Once the order is received, the hospital scheduler will contact the patient to schedule a time for the drive-through test.
Patients without an order but are showing symptoms may utilize our Walk-in Clinic, open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note, you do not have to be a patient of our clinic to utilize the walk-in services.
Where do I go for testing?
All COVID-19 testing is done behind the hospital. Follow the signs around back and pull up to the shed. They will take your information and send you to the correct area for either COVID-19 testing with an appointment or for the Walk-in Clinic.
I am having respiratory symptoms and need to be seen at the Walk-in Clinic. Where do I go?
All patients that are being seen at the Walk-in Clinic for any respiratory, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms — such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath — should be directed out back to the tent in the West Parking Lot.
How do I obtain my results?
For those presenting with a physician order, the office that ordered the test will contact the patient with results. In this case, Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics is conducting the test but will not have the results. Hospital schedulers or front desk staff will direct you to contact the ordering office when calling for results.
Is there a charge for testing?
Yes. All COVID-19 testing will be billed to insurance or can be paid via private pay.
I was exposed and want a test, but am not showing symptoms. What can I do?
Please contact your health care provider or contact the Macoupin County Public Health Department COVID-19 Hotline at 217-313-5078.
Is it safe to come into the hospital for other services?
Yes. Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics continues to treat the communities we serve. We have an excellent team of professionals ready to serve your health needs. Screening precautions are in place for anyone entering and exiting the building.