As more people are potentially exposed to the omicron variant, we want to remind the public — please do not come to the emergency room for COVID testing.

If you suspect you have been exposed to COVID or have symptoms:

• Use MyChart to request a COVID-19 test.
• COVID testing is available at drive-up locations at the Salem Health lab on State Street and in the West Valley Hospital parking lot in Dallas. You do not need an appointment, but you must have a doctor’s order. (If you sign up through MyChart, the order is automatically included.)
• If you don’t have a primary doctor or are not already a Salem Health Medical Clinic patient, schedule a virtual urgent care visit to obtain a doctor’s order.
• Other places to get tested are listed on the Marion County website. 
  

 If you test positive:

• Contact your primary care provider for next steps.
• Follow OHA’s positive test guide to avoid spreading COVID to others.
• COVID that is not causing life-threatening symptoms can be treated at home, much like a cold or the flu.

Thank you for helping us protect our staff by taking advantage of drive-up testing!

Can I be tested?

Due to the limited amount of testing supplies, Salem Health is offering testing to hospitalized patients who meet exposure criteria. If you think you meet the criteria, please contact your primary care provider directly or call 503-814-0099.

Should I come in for treatment?

• If you have an emergency, you should go to the nearest ER.
• If you experiencing symptoms, please stay home and care for yourself as you would for any other virus.
• If you are experiencing symptoms and need medical care, call your primary care provider. If you do not have a PCP, please call an urgent care clinic. It’s best if you call before going in anywhere so that health care professionals can assist you in a plan that will reduce exposure to others.

Should I wear a mask?

The CDC recommends masks for public spaces. If you have respiratory symptoms like a cough or sneeze, a mask is a great tool to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

Is the hospital canceling classes and support groups?

The CHEC is offering classes and support groups both virtually and small groups in-person. For more information, call the CHEC at 503-814-2432 or visit salemhealth.org/chec.

Community job shadows are suspended until further notice. All current participants have been notified. Applications are still being accepted, but scheduling will be delayed.

What is the policy for visitors at Salem Health facilities?

This policy continues to evolve as new information becomes available about COVID-19 in our community. In general, only patients and those visitors who meet specific criteria are allowed until further notice. The full details of the policy are available here.

Can I still send gifts to patients in the hospital?

At this time, we are asking the public not to send flowers to ICU patients, to help reduce the risk of infection.

Can I sew masks to donate to the hospital?

At this time, we are not requesting home-sewn masks from the public. If and when we do, we'll announce it on our social media and our mask-making page. Thank you to everyone who took part in the mask-making project! If you are looking for ways to help Salem Hospital and health care workers, please check out the "You can help!" tab above!

Where else can I get the most up-to-date information?

The most up-to-date Salem Health information will be under the "Latest news" tab above. The Oregon Health Authority has information and resources at oregon.gov/oha or by dialing 211. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available at cdc.gov. Both the OHA and CDC have newsletters you can subscribe to in order to get email updates straight to your inbox.