IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County Healthcare System has tested 15 people for the COVID-19 virus and has received results on only three, all of which were negative, officials said Friday.

“Increased statewide testing has slowed down the turnaround time, but we will update as results are received,” said Joe Rizzo, DCHS director of public relations and business development.

At least 549 people in Michigan have tested positive for coronavirus. Three counties — Wayne, Oakland and Macomb — have 88% of the cases. So far there are no known cases in the Upper Peninsula.

In response to an order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and for the benefit and safety of patients and staff, DCHS will postpone all non-essential procedures, Rizzo said. A non-essential procedure is a medical or dental procedure that is not necessary to address a medical emergency or to preserve

the health and safety of a patient, as determined by a licensed medical provider.

COVID-19 tests, meanwhile, are limited and a screening process is in place to determine who is eligible to be tested. For DCHS to collect a specimen for COVID 19 testing, a patient must have an order from his or her family doctor.

Healthcare providers will determine if a patient meets the testing criteria:

— Individuals presenting with signs/symptoms of COVID-19 infection who are identified as a known contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection and are not members of the same household or congregate living situation as the confirmed case (unless as part of a public health investigation).

— Individuals who become symptomatic while being in a 14-day monitoring and quarantine period (such as, but not limited to, monitoring due to travel from a region with widespread transmission).

— Symptomatic individuals who are part of a public health investigation of a cluster of illness associated with a vulnerable population (e.g., long term care facility).

— Symptomatic individuals who may be more likely to infect many of people or a vulnerable population (e.g., health care providers and those living in congregate settings like dorms, camps, long term care facilities).

— Individuals presenting with severe illness requiring hospitalization and having no other identified etiology.

This will be adjusted as the COVID-19 epidemic evolves and information needs change, Rizzo noted.

A temporary specimen collection site has been established. Staged at the southeast corner of the hospital campus outside the radiology loading dock, the collection site serves as a COVID-19 specimen collection site and provides easy access for those who are giving a specimen, while preventing any potentially COVID-19 infected persons from entering the hospital.

Only one visitor at a time per patient is permitted at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital and they must meet special criteria.

Health evaluation checkpoints are in place at four entry points onto the hospital campus.

DCHS will perform a mandatory health evaluation of all individuals that are not under the care of the facility, each time the individual seeks to enter the facility, and must deny entry to those individuals who do not meet the evaluation criteria.

The evaluation criteria includes symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat; and contact in the last 14 days with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. A temperature reading will also be taken and anyone with a temperature reading of 100.4 or higher will not be permitted onto the premises. The health evaluation is mandatory for all visitors and employees and the results will be documented. The evaluation is brief and only takes a few moments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:

— If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Watch for the following symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure: fever, cough, shortness of breath.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:

— Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

— Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

— New confusion or inability to arouse.

— Bluish lips or face. This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

A COVID-19 Hotline is in place to answer COVID-19 related questions, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 906-776-5858. The hotline is available to the public and healthcare providers.

“We thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we focus on the safety and well-being of our community,” Rizzo said. “You have our assurance that your local hospital is a very safe place and we are ready to care for you should you need us.”