- The Latest on Covid-19 Pandemic in the US as of July 1, 2022 - July 19, 2022
- Recommendations from the CDC on Caring for Yourself and Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic - April 9, 2020
- Dr. M’s Health Points Volume 1, Issue 3 - November 5, 2013
At IMA/Summit we are very concerned about your well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic we have changed our office procedures to minimize the risk of exposure to our patients and our staff. Your health is our number one priority.
- We see routine non acutely ill patients (physicals, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease) in the office between 7:30am-1:00pm. Everyone’s temperature will be checked at the door. We sanitize and do a thorough job of cleaning the office every evening to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
- We have an acute respiratory symptom clinic after 1:00pm daily and anyone with fever or respiratory symptoms will be triaged and treated in our makeshift covered area in the parking lot outside the back door of our office. No one with an abnormally elevated temperature will be allowed inside. We can run tests for COVID -19 if indicated.
- We have an on-call physician and nurse practitioners available to see acutely ill (non-infectious) patients in the office after 1:00pm.
- We are also performing telehealth visits for those who want to take advantage of this service during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this service is covered by Medicare and most insurances. Telehealth visits requires the patient to have a smart phone or tablet with video and audio capability or a computer with a web camera. If you don’t have one of those options, a telephone consult while less desirable is also available.
We will continue these hours and procedures until the COVID-19 pandemic has abated and the risk of transmission has subsided.
Below are recommendations from the CDC on how to care for yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Caring for yourself at home
- Stay home from work, school, and away from other public places. If you must go out, avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
- Monitor your symptoms carefully. If your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider immediately.
- Get rest and stay hydrated.
- If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider ahead of time and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19.
- For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you have or may have COVID-19.
- Cover your cough and sneezes.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. If you need to be around other people in or outside of the home, wear a facemask.
- Avoid sharing personal items with other people in your household, like dishes, towels, and bedding
- Clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, and doorknobs. Use household cleaning sprays or wipes according to the label instructions.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Caring for someone at home
Most people who get sick with COVID-19 will have only mild illness and should recover at home.* Care at home can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect people who are at risk for getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
If you are caring for someone at home, monitor for emergency signs, prevent the spread of germs, treat symptoms, and carefully consider when to end home isolation.
*Note: Older adults and people of any age with certain serious underlying medical conditions like lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness and should seek care as soon as symptoms start.
Monitor the person for worsening symptoms. Know the emergency warning signs.
- Have their healthcare provider’s contact information on hand.
- If they are getting sicker, call their healthcare provider. For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that they have or are suspected to have COVID-19.
Prevent the spread of germs when caring for someone who is sick
- Have the person stay in one room, away from other people, including yourself, as much as possible.
- If possible, have them use a separate bathroom.
- Avoid sharing personal household items, like dishes, towels, and bedding
- If facemasks are available, have them wear a facemask when they are around people, including you.
- It the sick person can’t wear a facemask, you should wear one while in the same room with them, if facemasks are available.
- If the sick person needs to be around others (within the home, in a vehicle, or doctor’s office), they should wear a facemask.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after interacting with the sick person. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Every day, clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, and doorknobs
- Use household cleaning sprays or wipes according to the label instructions.
- Wash laundry thoroughly.
- If laundry is soiled, wear disposable gloves and keep the soiled items away from your body while laundering. Wash your hands immediately after removing gloves.
- Avoid having any unnecessary visitors.
- For any additional questions about their care, contact their healthcare provider or state or local health department.
Provide symptom treatment
- Make sure the sick person drinks a lot of fluids to stay hydrated and rests at home.
- Over-the-counter medicines may help with symptoms.
- For most people, symptoms last a few days and get better after a week.
When to end home isolation (staying home)
- Peoplewith COVID-19 who have stayed home (are home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
- If they will not have a testto determine if they are still contagious, they can leave home after these three things have happened:
- They have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
AND - other symptoms have improved (for example, when their cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND - at least 7 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared
- They have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
- If they will be testedto determine if they are still contagious, they can leave home after these three things have happened:
- They no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
AND - other symptoms have improved (for example, when their cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND - They received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Their doctor will follow CDC guidelines.
- They no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
- If they will not have a testto determine if they are still contagious, they can leave home after these three things have happened:
You can find all this information and more at the website for the CDC: