IMPORTANT COVID-19 NOTICE!

You’ve likely heard about the Coronavirus (officially called “2019-Novel Coronavirus” or “COVID-19”) in the news. We will continue to monitor employee symptoms and daily screen to prevent the spread of the virus. In the meantime, it is necessary to continue to implement social distancing practices, the wearing of masks and also frequent washing of hands. In addition, employees who are experiencing symptoms related to the Coronavirus will not be allowed to work.

A majority of our caregivers and participants have chosen to receive one of the vaccines now made available in an area near you. Getting vaccinated is just another was that you can help prevent the spread of this virus.

As our valued Clients, we want to impress on you the importance of keeping you safe. Here at Nova Home Health Care, because you are our top priority, we are currently working under the guidance of the City of Philadelphia Department of Health and, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) in an effort to do everything we can to prevent an interruption of care, and to limit your exposure to the Coronavirus.

Early studies have shown that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:
  • Older adults
  • People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
    1. Heart disease
    2. Diabetes
    3. Lung disease

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.

What Older Adults Need to Know

Prepare now by making sure you have supplies on hand and, take preventative measures to help protect older adults or the immune compromised from COVID-19.

Have Supplies on Hand
  • Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.
  • If you cannot get extra medications, consider using mail-order for medications.
  • Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.
  • Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time. (Many grocery stores deliver so this may be an option for you to consider).
  • Take Preventative Actions
    1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
    2. Clean your hands often
    3. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
    4. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
    5. Get Vaccinated
    6. To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
    7. Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
    8. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
    9. Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
    10. Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.
    11. Stay home as much as possible.
  • Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc. if you become sick.
  • Determine who can provide you with care if your caregiver gets sick.
When to get Medical Advice

If you get any of these symptoms within fourteen days of being around someone with the 2019 - Novel Coronavirus, call your health care provider right away. Tell your provider that you may might have had contact with someone with the Coronavirus and tell them your symptoms.

If you do not have any of these symptoms, you probably don’t have the Coronavirus.

If you need to go to the doctor’s office or to the hospital, call the Health Department before you leave:

  • Call 215-685-6742 during business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Call 215-686-4515 after business hours and ask for the Disease Control on-call staff.
  • Call 911 for any medical emergency.
  • If you feel ill, check and record your temperature every day.
Quarantine

People who may have been exposed to COVID-19, Coronavirus but, are not sick or experiencing symptoms may be asked to stay in their homes for up to 14 days. This is called quarantine, which is an effective method to control the spread of infectious diseases. People who are sick with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 Coronavirus will be asked to stay home in isolation for 14 days. Please consult your primary care provider or see the links below to get the Center of Disease Control (CDC) most up to date information.

Discontinuing Quarantine or Isolation
  • For people who have been isolated because they have COVID-19 Coronavirus, these guidelines should continue to be followed until the Health Department says to stop.
  • For people who have been quarantined, these guidelines should be followed for 14 days following exposure, provided symptoms have not developed.
  • Important Contact Information:
  • For questions about home care, isolation or quarantine, call the Health Department:
  • Call 215-685-6742 during business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Call 215-686-4515 after business hours and ask for the Disease Control on-call staff.
Symptoms

Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Please note that we are working relentlessly to make sure that you have the caregiver coverage that you need. However, please be advised that since we need to limit your exposure to the COVID-19 you may not have your regular caregiver if they become sick.

We are working to that end to ensure we have a host of reliable staff that we will transport to your home and back if necessary.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns by calling the office.

CDC website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/index.html

City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health https://www.phila.gov/programs/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/

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