What if I do not offer COVID-19 testing in my clinic, what resources are available?

•If you are not offering COVID-19 testing in your clinic patients can be tested by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District testing.  Link

•The phone number for providers to contact the Metro Health COVID-19 Testing Hotline: 210.207-8876

•Phone number available for general COVID-19 Questions: 210.207.5779

•Patients do not need an order for the Metro Health’s testing

Can a collected specimen be sent to Metro Health’s COVID-19 Testing Center?

•Yes, please review the following  tip sheet: Link

•Interim Criteria for Metro Health COVID-19 Testing: Link

•The phone number for providers to contact the Metro Health COVID-19 Testing Hotline: 210.207-8876

•CDC tips for prioritizing patients for testing: Link

What if I need to care for someone with the virus?

Limit exposure to the infected person by using a mask and gloves when you must be closer than 6 feet. After tending to the ill individual, dispose of the mask and gloves and institute good hand washing hygiene and disinfecting all items that the infected person came in contact with.

Use protective measures including social distancing, hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting, gloves, mask.

Additional tips from the CDC: Link

What is the best way to clean and disinfect against COVID-19?

•Use a common EPA-registered household disinfectant that is appropriate for the surface you are cleaning. See Disinfectants for use against COVID-19: Link

•Other options include:

  -Diluting household unexpired bleach

   -5 TBSP (⅓ c) bleach per gallon of water

   -4 Teaspoons bleach per quart of water

•Alcohol solutions of at least 70% alcohol

What are the most common symptoms of the disease?

•Symptoms can vary from person-to-person but these symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

•Fever, Cough, and Shortness of breath

•Emergency warning signs that require medical attention include:

•Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

•Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

•New confusion or inability to arouse

•Bluish lips or face

•CDC COVID-19 symptoms: Link

Is there a way to self-screen for COVID-19?

Although the Corona Virus must be confirmed by test, San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department has provided a self-screening tool: Link

How should a person track symptoms at home?

•Two times a day (morning and night), write down your temperature and any COVID-19 symptoms you may have: feeling feverish, coughing, or difficulty breathing. Do this every day for 14 days.

•Fill in the dates on the log, starting with Day 0 and ending with Day 14. Day 0 is the day you left the country with an outbreak of COVID-19.

•Start recording your temperature and symptoms, beginning with today’s date. Fever is 100.4°F/38°C or higher.

•14 day tracking form: Link

•Additional CDC guidance on tracking symptoms: Link

Should I wear a mask?

To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of San Antonio recommends that all people over the age of 5 years should wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when in a public place where it is difficult to stay six feet away from others. This is in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) released on April 3. Residents must continue social distancing while outside their home performing essential activities, as outlined in the Mayor’s Stay Home Work Safe Order Link

How can I make a cloth face cover or mask?

CDC Guidance on do it yourself masks: Link

How can I stay well in public places?

•It is recommended to over your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others: Link

•Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities

  -Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

 -The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected

•Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing

•Additional CDC Tips: Link

How do I determine how soon I will exhaust my PPE supply?

The CDC has developed a PPE burn rate calculator: Link

Can I have a clinical staff member contact my patients by phone through Chronic Care Management?

•Chronic Care Management can be an effective way to support at-risk patients with multiple chronic conditions telephonically using a standard care plan.

•Chronic care management services, at least 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a physician or other qualified health care professional, per calendar month.

•CMS Chronic Care Management MLN: Link

•For additional information on Chronic Care Management, contact Adam Kirking at kirking@uthscsa.edu