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An Important Update Regarding COVID-19
Dear Patient,
Note:
The leadership and staff of Imperial Beach Community Clinic are committed to helping and protecting our patients during the Corona Virus (COVID-19) outbreak. To protect our patients and staff we are open and providing care but due to the Coronavirus, please call us before your appointment since whenever possible, we are converting in-person visits to telephonic visits. We can be reached at 619-429-3733.
Non-essential staff are mostly working from home and are available to respond to any questions or concerns, via email.
As coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have increased in San Diego County, we understand you may have questions about your health and how to access care. This message contains important details on what to do if you are sick, the best ways to reach us and receive care, nonessential appointments, coronavirus testing, health tips and more
PHONE FIRST
If you are sick, please call you’re the clinic BEFORE coming to any of our clinics or urgent care centers. We will advise you on the best way to receive the care you need without compromising your health, and the health of other patients and our staff.
VIDEO and PHONE VISITS
We recommend that, whenever possible, you have a video or phone visit rather than coming into a clinic. These visits are convenient and safe, and we are offering them during the COVID-19 crisis to all our patients at no cost, regardless of insurance type. As allowed, we will bill your insurance for these telephonic visits.
NONESSENTIAL APPOINTMENTS
If you have appointments for a medical need that is not essential, including physicals, pap smear, routine follow-up visits and similar services, we may be rescheduling those appointments.
GUESTS ACCOMPANYING PATIENTS TO APPOINTMENTS
If you must come in for an appointment, please note that only one individual 18 and older may accompany you. We realize this may be inconvenient for parents; however, it is vital to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. This will protect you, your children, other patients, and our doctors and staff. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
COVID-19 TESTING
We understand your concerns about the opportunity to get tested and the availability of tests. Test supplies are limited, and in most cases, testing doesn’t change the way we manage the disease. We can assure you that if it is medically necessary for you to be tested, we will arrange that for you.
To determine who should be tested, Imperial Beach Community Clinic uses the guidelines and criteria set forth by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
The criteria are:
- Hospitalized patients who have signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 in order to inform decisions related to infection control.
- Other symptomatic individuals such as: older adults 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).
- Any persons, including health care personnel, who within 14 days of symptom onset had close contact with a suspect or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient, or who have a history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of their symptom onset.
When you call us, we will ask you if you have traveled outside San Diego in the last 14 days, and if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, which may include a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
IF YOU ARE SICK, PLEASE STAY HOME. Call your IB doctor if you feel your illness is severe enough to require care. If you do not have a primary care doctor, call 619-429-3733.
HEALTH TIPS
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you're sick.
- Cover your entire mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. If a tissue is unavailable, cough or sneeze into your bent elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Practice social distancing: Stay six feet away from others and avoid large gatherings.
- Store a two-week supply of food and beverages, including food for family pets.
- Ensure you have a two-week supply of prescribed and routine medications on hand. If you need refills, contact your pharmacy.
- Plan ways to care for those who are at greater risk for serious complications and who will take care of sick family members.
Please check cdc.gov/coronavirus ; cdph.ca.gov ; sandiegocounty.gov for more information and updates.
Again, if you are sick, please stay home and call your doctor.
Our goal is to provide the most appropriate and safest care to you and all of our patients. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.
In good health,
Imperial Beach Community Clinic
California has launched an advice line that can connect you with a nurse, day or night, to talk about COVID-19 symptoms and help connect you with local resources in your area:
The Medi-Nurse line can help with many questions:
- Helping you understand whether your symptoms might be COVID-19 related, and whether you need to self-isolate and employ home self-care techniques, or whether your individual symptoms mean you should see a health care provider to get COVID-19 testing and/or treatment.
- Providing you with information in your area, such as contact information for county offices or other county-level resources near you, particularly if you need to see a doctor for testing/treatment, or want to apply for health insurance.
The Medi-Nurse line 1-877-409-9052 can help to connect you with resources, particularly if you need to see a doctor for testing/treatment, or want to apply for health insurance.
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