COVID19 | CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
March 11, 2020
Dear Cloud Member,
Here are some important updates about the current situation with the Covid19 corona virus:
Every community has a “window of opportunity” to help limit the spread of this pandemic, and it is up to each of us to make the best informed decisions based on the highest quality scientific evidence.
Although we cannot predict exactly how severely this pandemic will affect the US in general and Boulder County specifically, we know that how we respond in the next 1-2 weeks will greatly influence the impact of the virus in our community. There is abundant data from other prior viral outbreaks indicating that communities which are prepared and proactive in their approach suffer far less mortality and illness burden than those who fail to do so.
Here are some of the key points that we recommend to be implemented immediately for our patients as well as general recommendations for individuals and businesses in our community:
Updated Cloud Medical Policy regarding appointments for Cloud members:
1. We are now implementing a policy to move as many consultations as possible to “virtual visits” via video conference (e.g. Facetime) or phone calls. We can take care of a large percentage of healthcare needs via telemedicine. This not only applies to folks who are acutely ill (in order to limit exposure in our waiting rooms), but is highly encouraged for all routine visits as well.
2. Please call our main phone number with any scheduling questions (303.848.3800).
General Recommendations:
1. If you are sick with any upper respiratory symptoms, please stay home! (cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, etc.)
2. Practice social distancing: At this time, our social norms of hand-shaking and hugging need to change. Show your affection and respect with a namaste rather than direct bodily contact when you greet someone
3. Do not touch your face.
4. Begin to think about ways in which you can work from home, if at all possible. Some jobs are more conducive to this than others, but now is the time to think outside the box, speak with your co-workers, and implement new strategies.
5. Begin to think about ways in which you can keep your children home from school in the event of school closures, which are becoming increasingly likely.
6. Begin to think about how to care for a sick loved one in your home with restricted direct contact. Again, this depends on your situation. It will not be possible if you have very young children, but if you have older kids who are sick, keeping them comfy and cozy in their bedroom for most of the day is the best way to decrease your own exposure.
7. Avoid gatherings in large groups and crowds (concerts, conferences, parties, ceremonies, etc.)
8. Limit elective travel.
Recommendations for Local Businesses:
We are all in this together, and wish to support our local businesses through this evolving pandemic to maintain financial viability! Here are simple steps that restaurants and similar businesses can take to reassure their patrons and customers:
1. No sick employees should be allowed to come to work.
2. Take-out menus are regularly updated on websites and social media and take-out orders are encouraged.
3. After each customer leaves, their tables and chairs are carefully wiped down with antibacterial cleaner (e.g. clorox wipes).
4. Employees are mandated to avoid touching their face, avoid touching customers, and ensure hand washing with antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds once every hour.
5. Plates, dishes, and glasses are only carried from the bottom. Silverware is unloaded from dishwashers and wrapped in napkins by employees using disposable gloves.
6. Tables are arranged and spaced widely apart.
What to do if I think I am (or my loved one is) exposed or needs to be tested?
There are now resources in our community for testing, however, they are still limited. If you are acutely ill with severe symptoms, the best place to go is the ER where testing for Covid19 is available. On Wednesday, March 11, a drive-up testing center has opened in Denver at 8100 E. Lowry Blvd, which is providing testing with an approximately 72hr turn-around of results at no charge. You need a physician’s order to obtain the test. This facility is likely to be extremely busy in the days ahead. Here is the link for this facility. On the page below is a list of criteria which must be met to qualify for testing. (If you do not meet one or more of these 7 criteria, you do not currently qualify for testing).
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Clinical Testing Criteria | Covid19 |
(as of March 11, 2019) |
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1 |
Any person, including health care workers, who has had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset |
AND |
Fever or signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g. cough or shortness of breath) |
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2 |
Any person with a history of travel to areas with ongoing community transmission1 within 14 days of symptom onset |
AND |
Fever or signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of breath) without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza) |
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3 |
Any person who is hospitalized |
AND |
Fever or signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza) |
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4 |
Any person who lives in a residential facility such as a nursing home |
AND |
Fever or signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza) |
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5 |
Any healthcare worker, clinical laboratory worker, or first responder who has new onset of symptoms within 14 days of having direct contact with patients with signs/symptoms of respiratory illness or their clinical specimens |
AND |
Fever or signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza) |
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6 |
Any person who is at risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 including older adults (age ≥ 65 years) and individuals with chronic medical conditions and/or an immunocompromised state that may put them at higher risk for poor outcomes (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, receiving immunosuppressive medications, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease) |
AND |
Fever or signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza) |
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7 |
Outbreaks or clusters of respiratory illness – any person who is a member of a group with multiple symptomatic individuals that is being investigated by public health officials |
AND |
Fever or signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g. cough or shortness of breath) |
