Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

3/12/2020

Everyone is talking about coronavirus and with good reason - new cases, including reports of cases in Colorado, are being reported every day. Coronaviruses are nothing new, in fact, most adults are likely to have been infected with one of four common human coronavirus strains which cause symptoms related to the common cold.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that is spreading now is new to humans and probably originated from an animal source in China in December 2019. The symptoms of COVID-19 are mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and or shortness of breath. The most effective thing you can do is to prevent the spread of disease by:

Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with those who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
Masks are only recommended to be worn by those that are sick to help prevent the spread of illness.

If you have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 or you had recent travel to an affected region, and are experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath, you are eligible for a COVID-19 test from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) with a doctor’s order. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that if symptoms are mild, stay home and follow home flu treatment that includes lots of fluids, rest, over-the-counter medication as symptoms warrant. If symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or high fever over 104°F, worsen, call ahead and go to the nearest emergency room.

DIHFS cannot test or treat COVID-19. If you are coming to DIHFS with fever, cough, and/or sore throat but do not suspect COVID-19 based on your contact and travel history, we are requesting that you ask for a mask to help prevent spread of illness.

Staff at DIHFS are paying close attention to updates from CDPHE, CDC, Indian Health Service, and World Health Organization, and are following recommendations put forth by these organizations. If you have concerns or questions, please call the clinic.

This information is current as of March 11, 2020.
Leah Fitzgerald, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist and Instructor