COVID-19

Patient Information:

For the safety of patients and staff, El Rio has enacted the following policies for patients and visitors to El Rio over the age of 2 years:

All patients and visitors are required to wear a mask.
We ask that all patients limit their visit to themselves. Minor children may bring one parent or guardian.
Patients or visitors that are experiencing signs of illness are asked to please check in with the receptionist immediately.

Thank you for your understanding and help in protecting other patients and staff.

COVID-19 Home Testing Information:

If you used a COVID home test kit and your result is POSITIVE

You have COVID and do NOT need to confirm result with another test.

If you used a COVID home test kit and your result is NEGATIVE

You should repeat the COVID home test in 48 hours if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID
If second test negative you most likely do not have COVID but if symptoms persist notify your primary care team
If second test positive you have COVID and do not need to confirm the result with another test

If you tested POSITIVE but have NO symptoms

Stay at home for 5 days.
Continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days.

Most vaccinated people have mild COVID-19 illness and can recover at home without medical care.

If you tested POSITIVE and have mild to moderate cold like symptoms

Stay at home for 5 days.
If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are improving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
If you have a fever, continue to stay at home until your fever resolves.
Continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days.
If your symptoms are concerning, please call your primary care provider for a telehealth visit (520-670-3909) or message your care team on MyChart patient portal.
Monoclonal Antibodies are still an option if you have mild to moderate symptoms so if interested, please contact your provider team to discuss your options

If you have severe symptoms or shortness of breath

Please seek immediate care at the closest emergency department.

COVID-19 Testing Sites:

For more information about testing sites, please visit: Pima County COVID-19 Testing Centers – Pima County

COVID-19 Vaccination:

El Rio Health is offering COVID-19 vaccinations for our patients ages 12 and older at all of our health centers.

If you are an El Rio Health HealthOn Tucson Patient:

Call 520-670-3909 to schedule your Covid-19 vaccine
If you are under the age of 18 you will need to bring a parent or guardian to receive your vaccine

Saturday Health Center Closures:

Northwest and Cherrybell Health Center are open Monday-Friday during normal business hours, but will be closed on Saturdays until further notice.

El Rio Health locations that are open on Saturdays from 8am – 4pm:

Congress El Pueblo Southeast

Dental Clinics:

Southeast, Congress, Cherrybell, Northwest, Southwest and St. Elizabeth’s Dental are open with normal business hours.

If you have an appointment scheduled:

Please bring and wear a mask or other face covering (bandana, etc.) for your visit. Also, please limit your visit to our health centers to yourself if possible. We also want to remind our patients to practice social distancing when at our health centers. Please keep a 6 foot distance from others whenever possible.

Telehealth & Telephone Visits:

El Rio Health is now scheduling Telehealth and Telephone visits, to learn more click HERE .

Patient Communications:

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please reach out to Patient Communications at 520-670-3909.

Here’s what we know:

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggests that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious. In general, the more closely a person interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.

Symptoms and Severity:

Illness can be severe and require hospitalization, but most individuals recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids, and taking pain and fever-reducing medications. These symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure and can include*:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell

Other less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs include*:

Difficulty getting enough air
Chest pain
Change in alertness or responsiveness
Bluish lips or face
Rapid breathing

*These symptoms lists are not all inclusive.

Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

How is COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 is spread when a person who has the virus coughs or sneezes and respiratory droplets are inhaled, like the flu or the common cold. It may also be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface where the virus is present and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

Things you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Like the flu or the common cold, COVID-19 is spread person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes and respiratory droplets are inhaled. It may also be possible to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface where the virus is present and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

Wash your hands with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
Keep your hands away from your face
Avoid sick people, if you can
Stay home if you’re sick
Cover your cough and sneeze into a tissue, then toss the tissue in the trash. Wash your hands again
Clean and disinfect frequently touched areas

What should you do if you feel sick

If you feel sick, call us at 520-670-3909 to talk about your symptoms and options. El Rio Health nurses are available 24/7 on our nurse triage phone line. Our team will help you decide if you need to be seen, evaluated or tested. We can help patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 decide what to do.

We are learning more about COVID-19 every day. El Rio Health is working closely with Pima County Health Department and other agencies. El Rio Health is part of the Pima County Task Force for COVID-19.

Potential Fraud Related to COVID-19

Please be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. Visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus to learn more and how to stay alert.

Resources:

Covid-19 Vaccine Advice If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding (English)
Covid-19 Vaccine Advice If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding (Spanish)
Mask Wearing Tips & Care (in English & Spanish)
CDC COVID-19 FAQs (in English & Spanish)
COVID-19 Suspected/Confirmed Handout (in English & Spanish)
Pima County Health Department COVID-19 Website
CDC COVID-19 Website
Cox Communications Connect2Compete Program
Covid-19 Fact Sheets in 3o+ Languages
Arizona COVID-19 Hotline: Dial 2-1-1