What is COVID 19:
COVID-19 is a coronavirus. While coronaviruses are common, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus that
had previously not been identified in humans. The key features of COVID-19 are respiratory symptoms with a fever and
cough. (https://intermountainhealthcare.org)
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and
recover without hospitalization. The following symptom information is provided by the World Health Organization here:
Most common symptoms:
• Fever, dry cough, tiredness.
Less common symptoms:
• aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or
discoloration of fingers or toes.
Serious symptoms:
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, loss of speech or movement.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or
health facility.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.
On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take
up to 14 days.
How to Safeguard against COVID 19:
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone should:
• Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%
alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people (at least 6 feet).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
• CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people outside of their
household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
For latest information on preventing the spread of COVID 19, please follow this link:
If tested Positive, then what:
People with COVID-19 should be isolated for at least 10 days after symptom onset and until 24 hours after their fever
subsides without the use of fever-reducing medications.
On August 3, 2020, CDC updated its isolation guidance based on the latest COVID-19 data showing that people can
continue to test positive for up to 3 months after diagnosis and not be infectious to others. This does not imply a person
is immune to reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in the 3 months following infection. The
latest data suggests that retesting someone during the 3 months following initial infection is not necessary except when
that person is exhibiting the symptoms of COVID-19 and the symptoms cannot be associated with another illness.
How does COVID 19 affect my home infusion:
Once you have been scheduled for your infusion, your infusion RN will conduct a COVID screening by phone 24 hours
prior to the visit and will assess your temperature upon arrival at your home. If no temperature, the visit will proceed as
ordered. Both the nurse and the patient will be masked. This assures limited risk to your nurse(s) and to other patients.
If you or a member of your household test positive, you will need to contact your pharmacy and nurse to make sure they
are aware. Appropriate care planning will take place to safely provide your treatment per CDC guidelines.
Refer to the CDC website here for ongoing updates.
Mask use and reuse:
• Wearing cloth masks can help prevent people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading the
virus. Make sure your cloth mask: fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, completely covers the
nose and mouth, is secured with ties or ear loops, includes multiple layers of fabric, allows for breathing without
restriction, and can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. Cloth masks should
NOT be worn by children less than 2 years old or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious,
incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Surgical masks are not recommended for reuse.
• Remove all masks from behind the ears, dispose and wash your hands.
• Do not use masks with a valve. They do not prevent the spread of COVID 19.
COVID 19 Vaccines:
The CDC provides the following facts related to the COVID vaccine.
• COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19
• People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 may still benefit from getting vaccinated
• Getting vaccinated can help prevent getting sick with COVID-19
• Receiving an mRNA vaccine will not alter your DNA
For the latest information on the COVID vaccine, please refer to the CDC website here: