A Message to Our Patients About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
We strive to maintain the safety and wellness of our patients and staff by implementing several practices during this time.
• Effective today March 17th, 2020, we will only allow one person to accompany each patient that has an appointment or are seeking services.
• We will not be providing transportation services until May 1st, 2020. If you had an arrangement with transportation then you will be contacted and provided further information.
• All visitors will be screened prior to entering our facilities.
Screening Will Include:
- Temperature
- Respiratory symptoms (cough, chest tightness, difficulty breathing)
- Recent travel outside of the United States within the last 14 days / recent exposure to a person who has been tested for COVID-19, recent exposure to a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
- Patients that are screened and have a fever of or over 100.0 °F AND respiratory symptoms AND recent travel outside of the United States within the last 14 days / recent exposure to a person who has been tested for COVID-19,recent exposure to a person with a confirmed case of COVD-19 will not be allowed entrance into the facility and screened at a designated location away from other patients and staff.
- If you believe you have been exposed and are symptomatic we ask that you contact our office at (559) 686-9097 BEFORE coming to the facility. You will be screened over the phone and further directed on what to do at that time. At any time if your symptoms are emergent, please call 911.
We thank you for your understanding and consideration as we as a community take action to maintain the safety and wellness of you and our staff.
What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person and it was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
• As of March 17, 2020, 4 p.m., there are a total of 567 positive cases and 11 deaths in California.
• There are 3 confirmed cases in Tulare County as of March 17th 2020
How Does COVID-19 Spread?
Close contact (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
What are the Syptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
• Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
How Can I Help Protect Myself?
People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions.
• Washing hands with soap and water.
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
What Should I do if I Recently Traveled From an Area with Ongoing Spread of COVID-19?
• Stay home for 14 days from the time you left the area with community spread and avoid contact with others.
• Avoid public transportation and public areas.
• Take your temperature two times a day and monitor for fever. Watch for cough or trouble breathing.
If you begin to develop symptoms please contact your local public health department. (Tulare County 2-1-1)
Is There a Vaccine?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for two COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. These data demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19).
ALTURA is not administering the COVID19 vaccine at this time.
For additional up to date information on COVID-19 vaccination information and when you should expect to be vaccinated please visit:
https://covid19.tularecounty.ca.gov/covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
“State Health & Emergency Officials Encourage Individuals at Higher Risk of Severe
Illness Due to COVID-19 to Take Precautions.” State Health & Emergency Officials
Encourage Individuals at Higher Risk of Severe Illness Due to COVID-19 to Take
Precautions, 9 Mar. 2020, www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR20-016.aspx.
“About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Feb. 2020,
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html.
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