If you have symptoms of acute respiratory illness (fever, cough, difficulty breathing), call your Canyonlands Healthcare Provider at 1-877-645-9675. View our Healthcare location guide.

Much has happened since our first Coronavirus information post Coronavirus Protection, Symptoms & Myths on Feb. 4, 2020 and there is still much to learn about its transmissibility, severity, and other features of the disease. But one thing we know for sure is that the exponential spread of the virus worldwide is quickly changing the way of life at home, work and community.

Practice everyday preventive actions now

Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes (using your elbow is a good technique or with a tissue.)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a disinfectant or regular household detergent and water.
  • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection.
• 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 a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

More Myth Busters

Since our February 4 post, more coronavirus myths are circulating about pets at home, cold weather, hot baths, mosquito bites and hand dryers.

Read the Myth Busters

Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease COVID-19

The CDC offers these interim household guidelines to help plan for the possibility of COVID-19 transmission in your community.

Funding Approved

US Congress passed an $8.3 billion spending package bill (HR 6074) which includes $100 million to community health centers to support smaller health clinics in under-served urban and rural areas to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak. $950 million was also designated to support states, localities, territories, and tribes to conduct public health activities, including surveillance, laboratory testing, contract tracing, and infection control.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced March 4 that the state will receive $500,000 in initial funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the COVID-19 Response.

Medicare & Medicaid Coverage

Medicare has also declared that Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) will cover a test to see if you have coronavirus. This test is covered when your doctor or other health care provider orders it, if you got the test on or after February 4, 2020.

Also in the bill HR 6074, house lawmakers included provisions that would enable HHS to waive Medicare restrictions on telehealth use during the coronavirus public health emergency.

Medicaid will also cover the test if your provider orders it on or after February 4, 2020.