Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Information about 2019 Novel Coronavirus
March 18, 2020
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Information about 2019 Novel Coronavirus
CDC is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named “COVID-19) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which continues to expand. Chinese health officials have reported thousands of infections with COVID-19 in China, with the virus reportedly spreading from person-to-person in many parts of that country. The United States reported the first confirmed instance of person-to-person spread with this virus on January 30, 2020.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS and SARS.
Texas MedClinic’s preparation to protect Patients and Staff
Texas MedClinic (TMC) clinic locations are prepared for these types of alerts and we are in close contact with the health departments that oversee the regions where we have clinics.
Our utmost concern is for the safety of our patients and staff, so we have implemented the following to address this rapidly evolving situation….
- Each of our clinics have posted new alerts/signs at our front door and within our clinics in an effort to quickly identify/triage any patients that present that MAY fit the CURRENT CDC criteria…
Fever or signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of breath)
AND
A history of travel from mainland China, Iran, Japan, Italy, or South Korea within 14 days of symptoms onset
AND
Any person, including health care workers, who has had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset
- Our clinics are outfitted with hand sanitizer stations and complimentary patient masks to prevent cross-contamination
- Decontamination and cleaning procedures in place to ensure that high touch surfaces (door handles, doorknobs, countertops, tablets, clipboards, patient rooms, etc.) are regularly cleaned and decontaminated throughout each shift.
- We have updated our patient flow procedures to quickly room patients.
- Our providers and medical staff are trained on universal precautions and have experience in responding to these types of alerts and situations.
- Ready access to state health authorities to answer any questions AND for receiving relevant information.
- Our check-in online system is available 24 hours per day. Check-in NOW to SAVE TIME.
If you do develop a fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, especially after travel or contact with someone who has recently traveled internationally, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention right away by calling your medical provider or nearest urgent care. Texas MedClinic has three 24-hour urgent care clinics, along with 16 clinics across San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, and Round Rock open from 8am to 11pm every day. Walk-in or check-in online now!
Texas MedClinic was established in 1982 by Dr. Bernard T. Swift, Jr., as a group medical practice that specializes in urgent care and occupational medicine. Texas MedClinic has grown to 19 locations in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, and Round Rock. Texas MedClinic is staffed with 82 medical providers including physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners and over 450 employees.
