New Letter from Your DOHC Coronavirus Task Force
March 25, 2020
To read the previous letter on March 10, please go here.
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Dear Valued Desert Oasis Healthcare Member:
It has been a few weeks since we first reached out to let you know about our local efforts in controlling the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) working with our partners in the community. The safety of you, our patients, employees, physicians and our community remains our primary concern.
We would like to update you on what we are experiencing in our community and what we are doing to maintain your healthcare teams’ availability. We want you to be well informed on staying well. This virus’ impact on the world changes frequently as we learn more.
Desert Oasis Healthcare pledges to make sure that the information on our website is current on what’s happening and what additional information you might need to stay well.
As of this week we have had over 70 people diagnosed with coronavirus in the desert cities. Most of them are being cared for at home under home isolation. Home isolation means they are staying at home, and away from other family members while they monitor their symptoms. They will stay at home, protecting other people from getting the virus, for a minimum of 14 days. You start counting those 14 days when your symptoms stop happening.
Because we are seeing people getting sick, not from travel, but from person to person contact, also called community spread – we need you to continue to follow our Governor’s orders to stay at home except for absolutely needed trips out, for groceries or medicines. This is also called “shelter in place”. We encourage you to practice good social distancing, which means staying at least 6 feet away from anyone who doesn’t live in your home with you, when you do have to go out of the house. This also means you should not have friends or family over to your home right now. Each person you come in contact with who then goes out into the community makes for many points of possible contamination. Staying at home, staying 6 feet away from other people while out, and avoiding community social events will help us all contain the number of people who might come down with this virus.
You can be a community hero, just by staying home!
You should also know, we are calling all of our patients who may have medical issues that may make them more susceptible to this virus. We want to see how you are feeling and managing during these difficult times.
To reach us if you need anything for your health during this crisis including such things as medicine or food: Call us first for instructions (760) 969-6555 or call your PCP.
Soon we will be offering visits by telephone or video, also called telehealth or telemedicine. This type of visit protects you by allowing you to remain in the comfort of your own home while still seeing your trusted medical team! You can share a “virtual” visit with your PCP or one of our Wellness providers.
Should you have any questions, please contact DOHC or visit our website for information at MyDOHC.com.
Sincerely - Your Desert Oasis Healthcare Corona Virus Task Force
FAST FACTS FOR PATIENTS ABOUT COVID-19
Similar to other respiratory illnesses like influenza, coronavirus generally spreads from an infected person to others via:
- respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
- close personal contact (within about six feet), such as touching or shaking hands
- touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands
According to the CDC, COVID 19 has a low mortality rate. The populations most affected are those who are elderly with comorbidities or who are immunocompromised.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or bleach wipe
- Follow CDC’s recommendations regarding facemasks:
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- CDC does NOT recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
- The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Additional trusted resources:
www.MyDOHC.com
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR20-011.aspx
ges/NR20-011.aspx
