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Updated 2/16/21
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Be sure to review message for more information. |
COVID-19There is no shortage of information to read about the virus that causes COVID-19. It is difficult to determine the most up-to-date information, but your best source are generally from the CDC or large medical organizations. I have included links to some of the best websites below. I have also been periodically sending out emails to patients about the pandemic, and you can access these emails below as well. Remember, much of what we know now is new, so some of the information in the past may have changed.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Currently we do not have plans to administer the vaccine, and most patients will probably receive them through Scripps Hospital or through the County. Some pharmacies are also started to vaccinate, so you should check their websites to see if they have any available appointments. If you have been a patient at Scripps or UCSD, both of these facilities are sending out email notifications for you to log into their apps so you can sign up to be notified when you can make an appointment to receive a vaccine at their facility. The county is currently accepting appointments for patients ages 65 and above. If no appointments are available, continue to check back frequently because additional spots open up regularly. Make an appointment at www.VaccinationSuperStationSD.com. If you or someone you know does not have internet access and/or do not have transportation to get the vaccine, please have them call 211 to get assistance. We currently are NOT keeping a list of patients who want to receive the vaccine, but you should register at MyTurn.CA.gov. This is a resource set up by the State of California that will notify you when you are eligible to receive the vaccine. As soon as we have more information, we will send out another email. If you have not been getting our emails, please contact our office and provide your email address as this is the best way for us to disseminate information quickly. You can read the previous emails below. How to prevent yourself from getting sick: Make sure you are wearing a face covering and stay 6 feet apart when you are around people that aren’t in your household. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. For more information click here Help prevent the spread of COVID-19: Download the app CA Notify It does not collect personal information and uses the Bluetooth function of phones nearby to notify you if you have been in close proximity to someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19. The more people that install this app, the better it works. It functions as a sort of contact tracer, even for people that you don’t know, except that no personal information is ever shared. Click on the link above to read more information about it. Testing for COVID-19: Some insurances will cover COVID-19 testing only if you are having symptoms. The best way to get a test that is billed through insurance is either to:
Please read about: 3 Keys Steps While Waiting for you COVID-19 Results What to do if you are sick: NEW – MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT: If you have symptoms and are diagnosed with COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive monoclonal antibody treatment. This is one of the few treatments that has been shown to help decrease the risk of death or admission to the intensive care unit, and it is the category of medicines that the former president received when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 last year. It is only effective if given within the first 10 days of symptom onset, so it is essential that you get tested early if you have symptoms. Currently the treatment is only available for people who are at risk for complications from COVID-19, and this includes everyone ages 65 years or older, and individuals with diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, or immunosuppressive disease. It is also available for individual ages 55 and above if they have heart disease, hypertension, or chronic lung disease. The treatment is free for everyone, and you can read more information about it below. Treatment is administered at the MARC (Monoclonal Antibody Regional Center), which is currently at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. There are plans for additional MARCs to open up in the future. Contact us as soon as possible if you meet the criteria and are interested in the treatment. If you have questions about the treatment, please call us to arrange a virtual visit to discuss.
Here are things you should be doing if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 click here Previous COVID-19 related emails:
If you would like to go back to read some of the previous emails that our office has sent out. Remember that there has been some changes in our thinking regarding COVID-19, especially with regards to the wearing of masks. In the beginning, we did not feel that everyone should be wearing masks, but now we feel that it is very important. |
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