COVID Discharge Instructions

COVID Discharge Instructions

 

What You Need to Know about COVID-19

Important Ways to Slow the Spread

      • MASKS: Wear a mask.
      • HAND WASHING: Wash your hands.
      • VENTILATION: The more the ventilation, the less the spread. Avoid indoor, poorly ventilated spaces.
      • SOCIAL DISTANCING: Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths). It really makes a HUGE difference.
      • STAY ALERT: Download the COVID Alert NY App for exposure alerts and help  protect your community

COVID Timeline

The following is what a typical COVID illness looks like:

      • Day 0: You were exposed to the COVID-19 virus.
      • Day 3-5: COVID testing usually becomes positive.
      • Day 5: COVID symptoms usually develop.
      • Day 4-12: The highest risk of being most contagious.
      • Day 14: The incubation period of the COVID virus ends. Quarantine is over! (…only if you don’t have any symptoms).
      • Up to 1 month after quarantine: The COVID test may still come back positive. It doesn’t mean that you are contagious. It’s just the viral fragments that are still clearing your body.

How to “Prepare” Yourself Before You Get COVID

Take the above precautions seriously, and hopefully you won’t get it. But still, you should prepare yourself by strengthening your immune system. So if in case you do get COVID, you won’t get as sick.

Here are some general recommendations:

      • Eat healthy, mostly vegetables.
      • Lose weight.
      • Exercise.
      • Supplements:
        • Vitamin D3 supplements (1,000 IU’s) daily
        • Vitamins A, C, E
        • Zinc
        • Elderberry gummies
          • Note: the above general recommendation is only our personal opinion and not recommended as specific medical advice based on your specific circumstance. Please ask your medical provider for approval prior to starting any supplements or medication.

High Risk Patients

  • Older people and those who have certain underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of getting VERY sick from COVID-19.
    COVID Discharge Instructions CDC Stats
    COVID Discharge Instructions CDC Stats
    Source: CDC website
  • Underlying medical conditions and states that increase risk for serious illness:
    • Cancer
    • Smoking
    • Obesity (BMI of 30+)
    • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
    • Chronic kidney disease
    • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
    • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
    • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
    • Sickle cell disease
    • Pregnancy
    • Homelessness
    • Disabilities
    •  

For more information, visit this CDC guide.

What to Do If You’re Sick

      • Isolate yourself: Stay home!…except to get medical care.
        • What if I have to leave my isolation/quarantine?
          • You should only leave your isolation/quarantine in dire circumstances.
          • If you have to leave isolation/quarantine, wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart from others, wash your hands frequently, and clean all touched surfaces.
      • COVID Symptoms to watch out for:
        • Fever (100.4℉ or more)
        • Cough
        • Headaches
        • Fatigue
        • Muscle or body aches
        • Loss of taste or smell
        • Sore throat
        • Nausea
        • Diarrhea
      • If you are having emergency warning signs, get medical care immediately!
        • Emergency warning signs include:
          • Trouble breathing
          • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
          • New confusion
          • Inability to wake or stay awake
          • Bluish lips or face
      • If you are unsure of what to do, you can schedule a Televisit Appointment with a medical provider here.

How to Get a Test for Current Infection

      • Statcare offers the COVID Rapid Antigen test (nasal swab), the COVID PCR (nasal swab), and the COVID antibodies test (blood test)!
      • Book an appointment here.

How to Cope with Stress

Staying positive and calm during the pandemic is beneficial to just not only you but those around you as well. For all patients, we provide a mental health assessment. However, please do not hesitate to contact us at simmonsa@statcarewalkin.com, or send us a message through the Patient Portal to have a medical professional reach out to you.

It’s okay to seek out mental health services. It really does make a big difference.

Other general advice includes:

      • Eat healthy foods & get enough rest
      • Focus on the positives in life, all the blessings you already enjoy.
      • Unwind and relax by doing yoga, listening to music, or gardening. Start a new hobby.
      • Find new ways to connect with family and friends.
      • For more information, see this CDC guide.

All About COVID-19 Testing

      • There are three types of tests for COVID: rapid antigen test, PCR test, and the antibodies test.
        • The Rapid Antigen Test is performed by taking a mucus sample from the nose. It takes only 15 minutes for the results. You should be informed in the office. Its accuracy ranges from 84.0%-97.6%, if your results are negative, but almost 100.0%, if your results are positive.
        • The COVID PCR Test is performed by sending the nasal mucus sample to a laboratory . It is almost 100% accurate and can take anywhere from 2-5 days to get the results.
        • The COVID Antibodies Test is performed by taking a blood sample in a tube and sending it to the lab. They will check if the patient has developed antibodies. Your body makes antibodies to the COVID-19 virus usually 1-3 weeks after infection. The antibody test results are interpreted “with a grain of salt.” It has its pros, cons, and limitations.

For a detailed explanation, you can watch this video.

COVID Negative Patients

Frequently Asked Questions for COVID Negative Patients

Do I need a COVID PCR test as well?

If your rapid test was NEGATIVE, then we automatically send a confirmatory COVID PCR to the lab (unless you specifically opt not to do so). Once we get the results of the COVID PCR, they will be released to your Patient Portal. You can access these results via the Patient Portal in the Documents section of Medical Records. We will also make a follow up Televisit appointment for your convenience to discuss lab results and answer any questions you may have. If there are any questions or issues concerning your lab results or televisit follow up appointment you can call 917-310-3371 ext. 5 for the Telemedicine Dept to set up or cancel a televisit appointment or ext. 104 for the Aftercare Dept to follow up on lab results.

When is the next time I should get tested?

Consider getting a repeat test if:

  • You have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • You have had close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
    • Close Contact means within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more.
    • The COVID Alert NY App informs you if you have been in close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • You have been asked or referred to get testing by your healthcare provider or the Department of Health.

Your employer, school, or airline may also require testing. Confirm with them what kind of test they need.

Lastly, according to the CDC, there is no need to test if you have been in contact with a contact exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Who has to quarantine and for how long?

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 awayfrom others. If you’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, then you must quarantine to prevent spreading the disease, even if you do not develop symptoms.

Unfortunately, even if you test negative for COVID-19 or feel healthy, you should stay home (quarantine) since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

More information on Quarantine is available here.

COVID Positive Patients

Frequently Asked Questions for COVID Positive Patients

I tested positive for COVID-19. Now what?

According to CDC guidelines, if you test positive for Covid-19, you will need to stay in self-isolation until:

  • You have had no fever for 24 hours, and
  • It has been at least 10 days since your symptoms first appeared.

Depending on your age and risk factors for serious illness, Statcare will schedule a televisit appointment for you either on Day 3, Day 5, and/or Day 7 so we can check in with you and support you through this illness. We will also touch base with you  virtually on Day 10, the last day of your quarantine, to reassess your condition and answer any questions. You can contact our Telemedicine Dept at 917-310-3371 ext. 5.  For More Information Visit the CDC website.

What if I never had any symptoms to begin with?

If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after 10 days have passed since the date you had your positive test results. However, if you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above or speak with a medical professional to clarify.

Why is the Department of Health (DOH) contacting me?

Don’t be alarmed. They’re just doing their part to help stop the spread. The DOH may call and inquire about your well-being, asking about your current symptoms, discussing when your quarantine will be over, and ask those you’ve been around to get tested (Contact Tracing). As you can imagine, they are really swamped right now. Give them a big ‘thank you’ for their tireless efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions About COVID Discharge

What is the difference between self-quarantine and self-isolation?

Self-Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick, while Self-Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

How do I self-isolate/quarantine?

Below you will find instructions on how to self-isolate/quarantine.

If I feel better, can I stop the self-quarantine sooner?

Unfortunately, no. The purpose of the self quarantine is to prevent the spread of the disease to others, which is still possible even if you feel better.

Do I need to tell people that I have had contact with that I have Covid-19?

Yes! You should notify anyone you have had close contact with (closer than 6 feet apart, with no mask on, for more than a few minutes) that you have Covid-19, and that they need to self-quarantine for 14 days from that contact. The health department may call you for contact-tracing. Please answer that call and help stop the spread.

Do my friends and family members need to be tested?

If they can easily self-quarantine for a period of 14 days and they do not have symptoms, then they do not necessarily need to be tested. However, if they need to be tested for work or another reason, we will be happy to test them at Statcare. Book an appointment here.

Do I need to be re-tested after my self-isolation/self-quarantine?

The CDC no longer requires testing after self-isolating/self-quarantine.

If you self-isolated/self-quarantined for at least 10 days from the start of your symptoms, and no longer have fever, then you may stop your self-isolation/self-quarantine without any further testing.

If your work requires you to be re-tested, we can do a repeat rapid test/PCR test once your self-isolation/self-quarantine is complete. Book a testing appointment here.

Do I need to do anything differently after the self-isolation/self-quarantine?

You should continue to wear a mask outside of the house, stay at least 6 feet away from people, and avoid large gatherings. This is a new disease: we cannot pinpoint exactly when you stop being contagious, and we do not know how long immunity lasts. You will need to continue to take precautions.

Will I develop any more symptoms than I have now?

You might, especially if you had very mild symptoms when you were diagnosed. You might develop fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, “body aches,” or changes in smell and taste. Many people, however, do not develop any more symptoms.

What should I watch out for?

The main thing you should pay attention to is your breathing. If you become short of breath, you should go to the ER immediately, and tell them that you have Covid-19.

Also go to the ER if you become confused, or if you can’t keep down liquids.

Do I need to take any medications for this?

There are no medications that cure this disease. Antibiotics may help if you develop a cough. You can, however, take over-the-counter symptom-relievers like tylenol and cough medicine. Avoid Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, and other NSAIDs.

Is there anything special I should be eating or drinking?

No. You can eat or drink whatever you want. Be sure to stay well-hydrated and general eat healthy. And stay away from junk foods especially while sick.

Are there any long-term effects from this?

We don’t know this yet, so you should follow up with Statcare or your primary care doctor in a few weeks for a thorough exam. And if there aren’t any contraindications, there may be a benefit to taking a daily baby aspirin for the next 30 days. Studies to prove benefit are still under way, so you should do so under supervision of a medical professional.

Self-Isolation / Self-Quarantine Instructions

  • Restrict your activities!
    • Stay home except to get medical care
    • Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
    • Do not use public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
  • Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
    • Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home.
    • Use a separate bathroom, if available.
    • Have another person care for your animals.
    • If you must be around animals, wash your hands before and after and
      wear a mask.
  • Notify your primary care doctor that you have been tested, and call ahead before any medical visits.
  • Wear a face mask any time you are around other people or pets.
  • Avoid all contact with persons over the age of 60, or persons with chronic medical illnesses.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
    • Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
    • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after coughing or sneezing.
  • Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid sharing personal items.
    • These include dishes, drinkware, utensils, cosmetics, grooming items,
      bedding, and towels.
    • Wash all personal items thoroughly after using.
    • Clean all high-touch surfaces every day with a household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Monitor your symptoms.
    • Seek prompt medical care for any worsening of symptoms.
    • Call any doctor/hospital that you plan to visit and tell them you are being
      evaluated for Covid-19.
    • Put on a face mask before going to any medical facility.
    • If you have to call 911, notify the dispatcher that you are being evaluated for Covid-19.
  • Continue self-quarantine for at least 10 days from the onset of your symptoms, and do not stop self-quarantine until you have not had fever for at least 24 hours.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Guidance on Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Homes and Residential Communities. Visit this link to see the CDC guide.

Instructions: Household Members of a Person Being Tested for COVID-19

  • Make sure that you understand and can help the patient follow their healthcare provider’s instructions for medication(s) and care. You should help the patient
    with basic needs in the home and provide support for getting groceries, prescriptions, and other personal needs.
  • Monitor the patient’s symptoms. If the patient is getting sicker, call his or her healthcare provider and tell them that the patient has laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.
    • If the patient has a medical emergency and you need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that the patient has, or is being evaluated for COVID-19.
  • Household members should stay in another room or be separated from the patient as much as possible.
    ○ Household members should use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if available.
  • Prohibit visitors who do not have an essential need to be in the home.
  • Household members should care for any pets in the home. Do not handle pets or other animals while sick.
  • Make sure that shared spaces in the home have good airflow, such as by an air conditioner or an opened window, weather permitting.
  • Perform hand hygiene frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Both you and the patient should wear a face mask when around other people.
    • Wear a disposable face mask and gloves when you touch or have contact with the patient’s blood, stool, or body fluids, such as saliva, sputum, nasal mucus, vomit, urine.
    • Throw out disposable face masks and gloves after using them. Do not reuse.
    • When removing personal protective equipment, first remove and dispose of gloves. Then, immediately clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Next, remove and dispose of the face mask, and immediately clean your hands again with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid sharing household items with the patient. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items. After the patient uses these items, you should wash them thoroughly
  • Clean all “high-touch” surfaces, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables, every day. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
    • Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions.

Resources

For a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Let them know that you have COVID-19. Put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.

Link to New York Department of Health (DOH) website

Link to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website

Dept of Health (DOH) Phone Numbers

New York City: 347 396-4131
Nassau County: 516 227-9500
Suffolk County: 631 854-0100
Rockland County: 845 364-2512
Westchester County: 914 864-7292