Dear valued Provider,

Coronavirus is on everyone’s’ mind right now, so we wanted to share some best practices for protecting yourself and your community from this virus. Because this is a rapidly evolving situation and the risk levels in the US may change daily, it’s important to stay informed via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You can find the latest on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at www.cdc.gov/COVID19.

• Everyone has a role to play in reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses like Coronavirus!
• If you are sick – STAY HOME
• Use cough and sneeze etiquette (use your elbow!)
• Practice proper hand hygiene
• 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 an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Routinely clean your workspace and home
• Routinely sanitize frequently-touched surfaces like workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Follow the instructions on your normal cleaning products.
• No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time.

Handwashing the right way in 5 steps:
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. 3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

So do I need to buy face masks?
• The CDC does not recommend healthy people wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

See the CDC attachments for more information:
• COVID-19 What You Need to Know (Coronavirus)
• Stop the Spread of Germs

Thank you,
Provider Services