Message from Medical Director – COVID-19 Updates

Jun 8, 2020

Hello Everyone,

As most of you may know, Governor Wolf has announced that Philadelphia and surrounding counties are expected to transition from “red” to “yellow” on Friday, June 5, 2020.  This transition will eventually involve the re-introduction of onsite services while continuing to offer telehealth services.  I want to emphasize that this transition will be gradual with the necessary restrictions implemented for the safety of our staff and members.

Since the onset of this pandemic, Wedge operations staff has been meeting daily to ensure we are all aware of COVID-19 updates. Our goal is to apply that knowledge to enhance the safety measures implemented on sites, and to protect the well-being of our staff and members. The transition of reopening Wedge’s doors will be a process that is thoroughly inspected, studied, and analyzed. This transition may be concerning for some of you.  Rest assured, Wedge leadership has made staff and member safety a top priority during this pandemic and will continue to do so.

I am aware there are several outlets wherein one can receive COVID-19 news.  Some are more speculative, and less evidence based. As health care professionals (HCPs), we are considered essential workers which places us on the front lines. It is important for HCPs to be well informed as members will look to us for education and guidance.  Knowledge is always the best defense so try to avoid misinformation and rumors.  Be aware of what your employer and city are doing to keep you safe. Be well informed of what you can do and share your knowledge with others to further prevent the spread of infection.

Thank you for your cooperation and dedication through this pandemic. Wedge operations will continue to meet daily and keep you all updated. We will to comply with the state and local governments recommendations regarding the continued management of Covid-19.

Know How The Wedge Is Protecting Its Staff and Members.

  • Wedge will be limiting entry to all sites to members and staff only.
  • A check in process will be implemented wherein BOTH staff and member will be required to:
  • Wear masks
  • Be subject to a temperature check.
  • Be assessed of showing any signs of infection.
  • Access to soap and water to wash hands, hand sanitizer and disinfectant will be made available.  Sites will be cleaned and sanitized by maintenance as well as an outside sanitizing service.
  •  The layout of each Wedge site will be optimized to for social distancing. Flyers provided by the State of Pennsylvania will be posted at each site regarding COVID-19 safety.

 

Know how to Practice of Social Distancing in the work place?

  • Maintain a distance of at least six feet from other individuals.
  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover coughs or sneezes with a sleeve or elbow, not hands; Do not shake hands.
  • Regularly clean high-contact surface areas.
  • When sick, stay at home.
  • Do not gather in groups larger than 25 people.

 

Know the Numbers.  As of 06/08/2020, the current Covid-19 situation and risk to Philadelphia.

  • Number of cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia:                                             23,391
  • Number of negative test results of COVID-19 in Philadelphia:                84,698
  • Number of COVID-19 deaths in Philadelphia:                                                1,414
  • Overall risk in Philadelphia:                                                                                  HIGH risk of community transmission

Know the RED, YELLOW & GREEN phases to reopening Pennsylvania?

RED YELLOW

(Effective 6/5/2020)

 GREEN
Work & Congregate settings

  • Life sustaining businesses only
  • Congregate care and prison restrictions in place
  • Schools (for in-person instruction) and most child care facilities closed
 Work & Congregate settings

  • Telework must continue where feasible
  • Businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders
  • Child care may open complying with guidance
  • Congregate care and prison restrictions in place
  • Schools remain closed for in-person instruction
 Work & Congregate settings

  • Continued telework strongly encouraged
  • Businesses with in-person operations must follow updated business and building safety requirements
  • All businesses operating at 50% occupancy in the yellow phase may increase to 75% occupancy
  • Child care may open complying with guidance
  • Congregate care restrictions in place
  • Prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities
  • Schools subject to CDC and commonwealth guidance
Social Restrictions

  • Stay at home orders in place
  • Large gatherings prohibited
  • Restaurants and bars limited to carry-out and delivery only
  • Only travel for life-sustaining purposes encouraged
 Social Restrictions

  • Stay at home order lifted for aggressive mitigation
  • Large gatherings of more than 25 prohibited
  • In-person retail allowable, curbside and delivery preferable
  • Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities and personal care services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) remain closed
  • Restaurants and bars may open outdoor dining, in addition to carry-out and delivery
 Social Restrictions

  • Large gatherings of more than 250 prohibited
  • Restaurants and bars open at 50% occupancy
  • Personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops) open at 50% occupancy and by appointment only
  • Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities, and personal care services (such as gyms and spas) open at 50% occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged
  • All entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) open at 50% occupancy
  • Construction activity may return to full capacity with continued implementation of protocols

(https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/)

 

SOME FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19

  1. COVID-19 CAN MAKE ANYONE SICK REGARDLESS OF RACE OR ETHNICITY
  • Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms
  • Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
  • Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can cause people to avoid or reject others even though they are not at risk for spreading the virus.

 

  1. COVID-19 IS SPREAD THROUGH RESPIRATORY DROPLETS.
  • You can become infected by coming into close contact (about 6 feet or two arm lengths) with a person who has COVID-19. COVID-19 is primarily spread from person to person.
  • You can become infected from respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
  • You may also be able to get it by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

 

  1. YOU CAN HELP STOP COVID-19 BY KNOWING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
    • Common Symptoms of COVID-19
  • FEVER OR CHILLS, COUGH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING

 

  • Other possible symptoms
    • Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
  • Some people with COVID-19 don’t display any symptoms.  These individuals are known as “Carriers”

 

  1. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION.  WHEN? HOW LONG?
  • Quarantine separates people who know they were EXPOSED to someone with COVID-19 coronavirus, or who recently traveled to a location where the disease was spreading rapidly.
    • Quarantines are for people who do not show symptoms but should be kept separate because they have a higher-than-average likelihood of having been exposed to the disease.
    • People in quarantine do not leave quarantine for at least 14 days.
  • Isolation separates people who are SICK, and showing symptoms of COVID-19, from others who are not sick. Isolation keeps people who know they are infected away from healthy people.
QUARANTINE ISOLATION
Healthy Person (No symptoms) Confirmed Case of Covid-19
Exposed (No symptoms) Sick, Has Covid-19  Symptoms
Stay At Home And Away From Others Stay At Home And Away From Others
  • Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people

 

  1. THERE ARE SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP KEEP YOURSELF & OTHERS HEALTHY.
  • The best way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • Stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others.
  • Wear a cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth in public settings.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

 

Lloyd C. Alcera, MD

Medical Director – Psychiatrist