We know that there is an abundance of information being shared with the public about the coronavirus. As a Medicare Advantage health plan, we want to provide you with the most essential information and refer to the most reliable sources – such as the Centers for Disease Control and California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response as your most up-to-date sources.

• Centers for Disease Control
• California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a public health pandemic. Astiva Health has been following the updates diligently and is working closely with local health care systems – hospitals, providers, doctors, etc.

Along with this, we’d like to share the most recent prevention & treatment overviews for you to review.

While the COVID-19 and Influenza are both viruses, they are not the same . Although some of the symptoms are similar – fever, cough, and shortness of breath (as our list above), the two illnesses are caused by two different viruses.

Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if have recently traveled from an area with more exposure. Your healthcare provider will work with California’s public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Though everyone is potentially at risk for becoming infected, at this time, elderly patients and patients with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease have been shown to be at higher risk for severe symptoms. This may change as we understand the disease more.

On the “what you can do” front, common sense guidelines about preventative practices for seasonal flu apply.

• Avoid close contact with sick people
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or use the crook of your arm when
you cough or sneeze
• Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as germs spread this way
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses or bacteria.

Astiva Health will continue to monitor the situation closely. We’ll stay vigilant while we work to keep things in perspective. If you have questions or concerns, please call your healthcare provider.

For more details, the CDC has posted a list of symptoms and precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus .

Warm regards,
John Ernsberger MD
Astiva Health
Chief Medical Officer