COVID-19
Last updated: 1/11/2023
Safety is one of our core values, and St. Mary's Health Care System is taking a thoughtful and careful approach to protecting you. We continue to be informed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local guidelines. Discover how St. Mary's is commitment to your safety.
We understand that care you need may have been postponed. We’re here to help you determine the best path forward for your health and wellbeing. Call your doctor today or try a virtual care alternative.
Latest Information Back to Top
Current Visitor Policy
St. Mary’s has restored some patient visitation at all three of our hospitals.
Read the Visitor Policy
How We're Protecting You
We screen everyone who enters our hospital for fever and symptoms.
See What Else We're DoingCOVID-19 Testing and Screening InformationBack to Top
If you think you may have COVID-19, you can take a virtual screening, visit a nearby designated screening site, or call a primary care provider to start the screening process. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can find a doctor here.
Screening & Testing Sites
If you want to be screened for COVID-19, you do not need an appointment or a physician referral. You can be screened by a trained member of our staff at a designated screening site. If you meet the CDC and state testing criteria, a swab sample can be taken on site to diagnose a COVID-19 illness. Your results will be communicated to you within 48-72 hours.
It is recommended that patients with suspected COVID-19 first take a virtual screening online, where they will be screened and can be referred to a Virtual Care visit or see a primary care provider, who will order the COVID-19 test if necessary.
SymptomsBack to Top
COVID-19 presents with a wide range of symptoms that range from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19.
- Fever or 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 or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms.
What Would You Like To Do?
How You Can HelpBack to Top
Thank you for your interest in supporting St. Mary's Health Care System and our healing mission as we work to serve our patients and community during this time of crisis in our nation. Your generosity will help meet our ongoing needs as much attention and resource is now directed to fighting this new virus.
Our Foundation gratefully accepts donations for all three of our hospitals: St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro. Suggested unopened items include:
- PAPRs
- Regular Masks
- N95 Shields
- Gowns
- Hot Glue Sticks
- Surgical Caps / Protective Cars
- Eyeglass Shields / Goggles
- Nasal Testing Swabs
- M4 Viral Media
- Lysol or Clorox Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Transparency Sheets
Supplies Not Accepted
- 3D ventilator parts
- Medications
- Blankets
- Clothing
- Homemade isolation gowns
Homemade cloth masks: St. Mary's gratefully accepts donations of homemade cotton masks for our colleagues. Please contact us at foundation@stmarysathens.org for sewing and cleaning instructions and how to make your donation.
Schedule Donation Drop-Off
Please contact the Foundation to schedule a drop-off time for your donation.
St. Mary’s Foundation Office will coordinate donations for all three facilities, as well as Highland Hills and our Medical Group offices.
During your pre-arranged drop-off times, staff from each hospital will meet you at a pre-determined location.
ResourcesBack to Top
Find Resources in Your Community
Use the search feature below to access the Community Resource Directory – an online database for you to connect with free and reduced-cost health resources and social services both within our community and across all St. Mary's Health Care System and Trinity Health service locations.