Coronavirus Update

SAC Health has been aware of this disease since the outbreak was first announced in Wuhan, China. In fact, SAC Health has had an Infection Control Task Force in place since the outbreak began in China to prepare all our facilities and screen for risk of COVID-19 exposure. SAC Health continues to actively plan and prepare for this quickly evolving threat.

We have been communicating regularly with HRSA (the federal department that oversees FQHCs), the California Primary Care Association (the FQHC association of California), our local community clinic association, our county health departments, and our LLU physicians.

Our SAC Health's Infection Control Task Force (which includes public health and infectious disease experts) has created a clear protocol and plan that involves our Call Center, our Front Desk staff, our nursing staff, and our providers in screening and testing for Coronavirus. This protocol will continue to be updated based on the latest CDC recommendations.

We are also working on the option to allow established patients to access care via telehealth in order to screen high risk, symptomatic patients so that they can avoid coming into clinic as well as other patients who would prefer this method of care.

For up-to-date information on the Coronavirus, please refer to the CDC web site: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

For prevention, the following are the current recommendations from the CDC:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.

• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

We will be sharing regular updates as they become available.