Our Fire and Police Retiree Healthcare Fund, San Antonio released a letter to Fire and Police Retirees regarding the COVID-19 virus. Please download the letter here but its contents follow:
To Fire and Police Retirees,
As you know there is a worldwide pandemic involving the COVID-19. The U.S. has had relatively few cases to this point, but this may increase, and we may very well see cases in the San Antonio area. Your Health by Design team has been monitoring the situation closely and developing plans to reduce the risk of infection to our patients and our healthcare workers.
At the current time we would make the following recommendations:
- Educate yourself about the virus and how to reduce your risk of infection. The CDC website is a good source of information. Click here.
- There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid getting exposed to the virus and taking everyday preventative measures such as good handwashing. Click here for more.
- If you have travelled to countries where the virus has been spreading rapidly (CDC travel advisory level 3 or above) and you are not ill (fever, cough, shortness of breath) you should follow these CDC guidelines for 14 days after returning from your trip. Take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:
- Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
- Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
- Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
- Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
- Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
4. If you have travelled to countries where the virus has been spreading rapidly (CDC travel advisory level 3 or above) or have had contact with someone who is suspected of having the virus, and you are ill with symptoms of COVID-19 infection (cough, fever, shortness of breath) you should seek medical care. We do not advise an immediate trip to the doctor’s office or emergency room. Instead, your first step should be to call your health care provider (of the hospital if severely ill) to discuss your symptoms. Your doctor will consult the health department for further instructions and whether testing should be done. At this time, only the health department has access to testing kits for the virus.
5. The flu and other respiratory infections are still very common at this time of year. If you have not travelled to an area with high virus activity and have not had contact with someone with the virus and you have a possible respiratory infection, you would still make an appointment with your health care provider in the usual way if you need medical attention.
6. Contact your Health by Design clinic should you have questions (Paesanos Pkwy 210.492.1333) or City Base 210.465.9592. We will also provide updates on our website at www.healthbydesign.com and would encourage you to check in on this site regularly.
Though this is a serious health threat we should not over-react. While we know that a new type of disease can be scary, we believe that with the proper precautions and safe practices we can stay health and safe.
Signed By James Ogletree, Chief Medical Officer
