Spectrum Health Lakeland Working To Prepare For Visitations, Ramping Up Antibody Testing

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Spectrum Health Lakeland CEO Loren Hamel says it’s time for people to come back to their doctors and the hospital to be treated for non-COVID-19 ailments. Of course, you should call first. During a Friday update, Hamel said the local health system has been working on making that possible and safe.

“Please, if you have healthcare needs, it’s time to care for those needs,” Hamel said. “You can postpone it for a week or maybe a month. You can’t postpone those things indefinitely and not suffer.”

Hamel said the COVID-19 antibody testing has ramped up at the system.

“Antibody testing is now up and running. We’ve done 250 of those tests. We have a hotline you can call if you potentially want to get an antibody test. It’s 269-927-5100.”

Hamel said if you suspect you had COVID-19 but were not tested, the antibody test could help resolve that for you. Plus, it could identify you as a potential donor of plasma to treat those who are sick. Hamel also noted the state is easing restrictions on hospital visitations, and Spectrum Health Lakeland is working on making a path to that. He said it’s been hard for staff at the hospital to tell the loved ones of patients they are not allowed to visit them.