Important Information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, continues to spread around the world, BASS Medical Group is preparing for possible community transmission in the United States. As concerns about the outbreak beginning to hit close to Contra Costa County, BASS Medical Group infectious disease experts are providing the latest updates on what the public needs to know.
How do I protect myself and my family against COVID-19?
The best way to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 is to follow all the same basic practices that are important for protecting yourselves from influenza.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these include:
• Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash, and washing your hands.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Staying home when you are sick.
Should I wear a mask when I’m at work or out in public? If not now, when might that change?
The CDC and other public health experts do not recommend that people, who are well, wear facemasks as a way to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
As there is currently a limited global supply of masks, they should be reserved for caregivers of patients with infections that require mask use or by patients with cough or other symptoms of respiratory illness.
When should I seek medical attention if I’m worried about the coronavirus? What’s the best way to do that?
If you have had contact with someone who has traveled to infected areas and feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days, you call your doctor’s office, urgent care clinic, or emergency department ahead of time and tell them your symptoms. They can help to make decisions about whether, when and where you will be evaluated.
What are the testing criteria for COVID-19 now that there is a suspected case of community
transmission with no travel history?
Decisions about testing currently are made on a case-by-case basis by the CDC in discussion
with health care providers, infection prevention experts, and public health departments.
The CDC’s persons under investigations criteria, which offer guidance on who to test for COVID-
19, were updated after first suspected case of community transmission was reported in the U.S.
The current criteria include:
• Fever or symptoms of respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of breath) in someone
who’s had close contact with another person with a positive COVID-19 test result.
• Fever and symptoms of respiratory illness severe enough to require hospitalization in
someone who traveled to a country with widespread or sustained community
transmission COVID-19.
• Fever and severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization without alternative explanatory
diagnosis (such as the flu).
Currently, most testing is being done at the CDC, but there have been recent efforts to increase
testing on the state and local levels. There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
Where can I get more information?
• John Muir Health COVID-19 hotline: (925) 952-5600
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
About BASS Medical Group
Headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, BASS Medical Group is the Greater Bay Area’s leading healthcare specialist provider. With over 300 providers, 200 locations, and 42 specialties, BASS is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care in a family setting. Currently BASS operates 200+ locations throughout the Greater Bay Area, from the Central Valley to the North Bay. Known for operating smaller, independent physician-led practices, BASS offers personal, patient-focused comprehensive medical care and specialty services. For more information, visit, www.BassMedicalGroup.com.