November 2020 Newsletter - COVID-19
- Nov 24, 2020
- 2 min read
Read our post about the COVID-19 vaccine HERE
We here at DTC Family Health take the health and safety of our staff and patients seriously and continue to take precautions to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. As stewards of your well-being, we take an especially keen interest in ensuring we are doing all we can to help manage its spread and mitigate risk in the community.
As case numbers increase, we are encouraging patients to schedule telehealth visits and are making more appointments available through telehealth. Please be patient with our office, we may experience staffing shortages as COVID-19 spreads.
Most visits can be performed via telehealth including Medicare Wellness Exams – (regular wellness exams cannot be done through telehealth)
If you have a direct exposure (any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more) to a COVID-19 positive person:
o Asymptomatic contacts testing negative should self-quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure (i.e., close encounter with confirmed or probable COVID-19 case)
o If you have questions or concerns, please schedule a telehealth visit with one of our providers, to discuss management options. DO NOT COME INTO THE OFFICE.
If you are experiencing any symptoms (fatigue,
shortness of breath, fever, chills, body aches, cough, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea), please schedule a
telehealth visit with one of our providers, to determine the next step. DO NOT COME INTO THE OFFICE. You can schedule an appointment
on our website: dtcfamilyhealth.com, by calling our office at (303) 771-3939 or on your patient portal.
We have COVID-19 testing available for symptomatic patients only. Due to our limited access to testing supplies, we are unable to test close contacts or people needing clearance.
On-call phone calls may be converted to telehealth visits if they require any medical management. Please be aware that your insurance will be billed for these visits and you may incur a charge.
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the city, traditional holiday gatherings may put you at risk for COVID-19. To reduce your risk, spend the holiday with your immediate household members only.
Here are some safer ways to celebrate the holidays this year:
o Host a dinner celebration with your household members only.
o Avoid large crowds by purchasing groceries online.
o Consider safely delivering meals and gifts to extended family members, neighbors or friends, in a way that does not involve direct contact (like leaving items on the porch or doorstep).
o Celebrate with friends and extended family over videoconference.
o Participate in car parades in which people stay in their vehicles.
o Do your holiday shopping online.
And remember to always follow COVID-19 precautions:
o Stay home and away from others unless it is necessary.
o Work from home if possible.
o If you do activities outside the home, keep them outdoors.
o Whenever you must be near anyone who is not a member of your household, wear a mask, and ask others to wear masks.
o If you are sick, stay home.
o If you have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19, or has symptoms of COVID-19, stay home.
o Wash or sanitize your hands frequently.
o Clean frequently touched surfaces and items regularly.
Read our post about the COVID-19 vaccine HERE
Thank you for sharing this November 2020 newsletter providing crucial COVID-19 updates during that challenging period when communities needed reliable health information and safety guidance most. These archival resources help us remember lessons learned about pandemic response and public health communication, with health information resources available through TechNovaSprint for current health topics.
Reading about the challenges during the pandemic reminded me how important clear communication and safe practices became in everyday life. Information needed to be accessible instantly, whether for health updates, guidelines, or community support. That’s one of the reasons I started paying attention to tools that make sharing details quicker and safer. Simple solutions like a qr code sign can turn complicated instructions into something easy to scan and understand. I see how this approach not only works in healthcare but also in events, businesses, and creative spaces where efficiency and clarity help people stay connected and informed.
Navigating health challenges like COVID-19 really pushes us to rethink what’s important, including how we care for ourselves and others. Staying informed and connected becomes a top priority during times like these. Speaking of meaningful traditions, I recently tried a traditional chorizo recipe that brought a lot of comfort and satisfaction. The authenticity in the flavors and the hands-on process created a sense of grounding I didn’t expect. It’s clear that simple, genuine experiences matter more than ever now.