The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its medical facilities are taking steps to protect and care for veterans during the outbreak. Veterans should refer to the VA’s website for the most current information: www.va.gov/coronavirus.
Guidance from local VA medical facilities about their current operating status is available on each facility’s website, which can be found through VA’s facility locator tool:https://www.va.gov/find-locations.
Veterans experiencing coronavirus symptoms are encouraged to call their VA medical facility or call MyVA311 (844-698-2311, press #3 to be connected).
What is Department of Veterans Affairs doing?
VA has public health response policies to protect and care for Veterans, their families, health care providers, and staff in the face of this emerging health risk.
On March 27,VA shared their own COVID-19 response plan, which may be found below:
What should Veterans do?
Any Veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to call before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility.
Alternatively, Veterans can sign into My HealtheVet to send a secure message to VA or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA health care professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.
At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.
How to protect yourself
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to an infection with these simple steps.
- Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Getting a flu shot is recommended.
Be First to Comment