COVID-19 Alert: FAQ’s and information from BayCare Clinic.
Telemedicine: Information and visit preparation.
COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. There are many common coronaviruses that circulate among humans and cause mild illnesses like the common cold.
It is suspected that an animal coronavirus originating in bats emerged, infected people, and is now being spread person to person. The outbreak originated in Wuhan, China and has a link to seafood and live animal markets.
Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. There are also areas of “community spread” where people have become infected when it is not known how or where they became infected. The current understanding is that COVID-19 is spread by droplets expelled when a person coughs, sneezes or talks, that are then inhaled by another person.
Current symptoms reported by patients with COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This illness can progress to a severe illness.
Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults, and people who have chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease. The CDC advises that individuals who are high risk should take everyday precautions to keep space between themselves and others, keep away from other who are sick, wash hands, avoid crowds and avoid non-essential travel. Those at high risk should strongly consider staying home as much as possible but should not delay getting medical care for underlying medical conditions or emergency medical treatment.
Individuals should contact their primary healthcare professional if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The healthcare professional will determine if testing for COVID-19 is indicated. Individuals can also contact their local public health department for guidance at the numbers provided below.
Brown County, WI – 920-448-6400
Door County, WI – 920-746-2234
Manitowoc County, WI – 920-683-4155
Marinette County, WI – 715-732-7670
Oconto County, WI – 920-832-5100
Outagamie County, WI – 920-832-5100
Winnebago County, WI – 920-232-3000
Calumet County, WI – 920-849-1432
Delta County, MI – 906-786-4111
Menominee County, MI – 906-863-4451
A negative result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in the person’s sample. In the early stages of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected.
If the sample was collected while a person had symptoms, a negative result likely means that the COVID-19 virus is not causing their current illness.
Current CDC guidance on when an infected individual can be released from isolation can be found here:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Quarantine and Isolation
As the number of cases is rapidly changing, please check the following webpage to see the most up to date information:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Outbreaks in Wisconsin
The CDC has released guidance for those considering travel. Please check the following webpage to see the most up to date information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus Travel Information
COVID-19 is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation. BayCare Clinic is actively monitoring CDC’s and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ recommendations surrounding COVID-19. In response to these recommendations, BayCare Clinic has developed pathways to help triage and manage patients who may call the clinics or present to the clinics with symptoms of COVID-19. For your safety and the safety of others, we may postpone your appointment or procedure, if your visit is non-urgent. We may also ask you to attend your visit alone unless you need assistance during your appointment.
BayCare Clinic has adopted universal masking of patients and visitors within our facilities. We ask that if you have a mask you please wear this when entering our facilities. If you do not have a mask, you will be provided with one when you arrive. We ask that you wear this mask at all times until you have exited the building, unless otherwise directed by a provider.
During your visit you will be asked to social distance and maintain 6 feet from others within our clinics including in our waiting rooms and when checking in. Our clinics have put measures in place to help you maintain this distance and help ensure your safety during your visit. In addition, BayCare Clinic has always performed rigorous cleaning and disinfection practices, but during this time we have increased our frequency of cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and objects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Home Page
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Home Page
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines in this video with Dr. Ashwani Bhatia, chief medical officer of BayCare Clinic. Dr. Bhatia recently participated in a Facebook LIVE discussion detailing the history of vaccines, why they have historically been effective and what the new COVID-19 vaccines mean for Wisconsin’s battle against the virus.