COVID-19 and it’s symptoms

COVID-19, popularly known as Coronavirus is a new disease and the CDC is still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

COVID-19 and it’s spread

The CDC reports that Coronavirus is being spread from person-to-person (within 6 feet), through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Those at highest risk for contracting Coronavirus

According to the CDC, older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at a higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. Please don’t hesitate to consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.

THIRA Health is committed to the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff. Recommendations by the WA Department of Health and Public Health of Seattle & King County are being followed closely. We are also closely monitoring information being released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

• THIRA Health follows strict health and safety requirements including frequent cleaning of our facility, top quality food service standards, and medical infection control procedures.
• Steps are being taken to increase social distancing for patients while in programs throughout the day with expanded office space.
• Frequent hand washing is mandatory for staff, patients, and visitors.
  Access to hand hygiene and facemasks are being provided throughout the facility.
• Visits from non-essential individuals to THIRA have been postponed until further notice.
• All community group outings are being suspended until further notice.
• CDC-recommended screening questions are being implemented before patient and visitor arrival at time of intake appointments, in addition to requiring any patients or visitors with symptoms of illness to remain at home.

THIRA Health is rescheduling all visitor tours at this time, we are only allowing patients and supporters whose presence is needed for treatment or pick-up/drop-off into the facility. We ask that patients and permitted supporters refrain from coming to the facility if they are currently or have recently been ill or if they have had close contact with a potentially contagious person. We are implementing CDC-recommended patient and visitor screening questions and we are not allowing visitors with any symptoms of illness into the facility. In addition, all patients and visitors are being asked to wash hands upon entry to the facility.

A note to patients and supporters planning to visit THIRA:

IF YOU RESPOND YES TO A QUESTION BELOW, PLEASE CALL TO POSTPONE YOUR VISIT OR RESCHEDULE.

• Have you had a fever within the past 24 hours?
• Do you have symptoms of a respiratory illness (e.g. sore throat, cough or shortness of breath)?
• Have you traveled to China, Japan, South Korea, Italy or Iran in the last 14 days AND become sick?
• Have you or a close contact tested positive for COVID-19 or Influenza?

If you respond NO to each of these screening questions, please wash your hands or use our hand sanitizer before entering the facility and patient-facing areas.

There are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 at THIRA Health at this time.

Anyone showing illness symptoms (e.g. cough, fever, or other respiratory symptoms) is required to call in for consult before arriving at the facility, anyone who arrives showing those symptoms will be sent home immediately.

Yes! THIRA Health is open and operating under normal business hours. Weekend family groups are operating via telehealth. 

Yes! THIRA is still open and actively accepting and referring patients to program.

THIRA is not currently capable of testing for Coronavirus. For testing information please follow this link.

As recommended by the Center for Disease Control, here are some tips to keep yourself healthy and prevent illness:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
• Contain your cough and sneezes by using a tissue or your elbow instead of your hands.
• Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Do not share any drink or food with others.
• Clean and disinfect your environments at home, work and in your vehicle.
• Avoid contact with those who are sick.
• If you are a loved one is sick, stay home to prevent the spread of germs. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.