COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
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ABOUT COVID-19
The respiratory virus, first identified in Wuhan, China, has been named SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes is known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people. Others have mild symptoms and may not know they have the illness, thus allowing it to spread more quickly.
The virus is spread person to person. If a person with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, the droplets may land on a surface. Then if you touch that surface, then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, you could become infected. Additionally, if you are near a person with COVID-19, they could cough and the droplets in the air could be inhaled by you, causing spread of infection.
It is important to wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others in all public places. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer frequently.
Stay home as often as possible and only go out to stores for essential items. If you are working at a restaurant or store at this time, be sure to wear your mask, maintain distancing, and wash or sanitize hands regularly. Wash your mask regularly at home and avoid touching your face. Sanitize all surfaces, especially high-traffic surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, tables, chairs, etc.
Both Beebe and the Delaware Division of Public Health are regularly providing updated information on our websites. Current case data is available at the Delaware Division of Public Health. In addition, we are regularly sharing tips and information on our Facebook page @BeebeHealthcare.
The CDC offers the most current information about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Pfizer vaccine. Each page includes sections about the number of shots you will get, how far apart they should be, vaccine ingredients, and more.
It is important to read and share valid information during this time. Sources such as CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) are great places to find the facts.
How Can I Help?
There are many ways you can express your gratitude and offer assistance to Team Beebe. You can join help grow the virtual Gratitude Tree by leaving a note of thanks to a Beebe team member, department, etc. Make a donation and designate it to the Make Their Day Fund to say thank you to our teams for caring for our community! Share your story in the Celebrate Excellent Care program, specifically designed for patients who wish to recognize Beebe Team Members for their excellent care. The DAISY Award is a national program designed to recognize the amazing work of nurses.
Preventing Covid-19
Prevent the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding crowded indoor events, and staying home if you are sick. Wear your mask in enclosed situations like public transportation, and wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer regularly. Avoid touching your face or adjusting your mask. Clean high-touch surfaces regularly with a disinfecting spray or wipe. Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
Wearing a mask is required at all Beebe care sites. Wearing a mask is important because it protects yourself and others in the community. Wearing a mask prevents air-borne particles from directly entering your mouth or nose. It also reminds you not to touch your face. Studies show wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of viruses.
Continue to stay healthy by exercising or moving your body daily, eating healthy food, drinking plenty of water, and getting outside.
Every person entering our facilities is required to wear a mask, and also screened, which means they are asked a series of questions. This protects our team and our community members who are in the hospital.
By screening everyone at the door, we prevent those who are potentially sick with COVID-19 from interacting with others and possibly spreading the illness. In addition, by self-monitoring, our team members are able to track their symptoms to determine if they might need to be tested for COVID-19. Any team member who is tested is duty-bound to report the findings – positive or negative – to Beebe’s Employee Health team.
In addition, anyone entering one of our locations will notice safety precautions, including Plexiglas at registration desks and check-in locations, visual cues on the floor and seats to remind you of physical distancing, and mask wearing by both medical and professional staff. Everyone entering a Beebe care site must wear a mask. We have also instituted new check-in protocols in some cases. Some locations are utilizing car-based check-ins and waiting, instead of having patients in the waiting area inside. With a physician order, call to make your appointment: 302-645-3278.
Your primary care provider is your best resource for questions about COVID-19, since they have access to your health history. For general questions, you can dial 211, or email the department of health at [email protected].
Testing
Visit our online scheduling page for the most current information about COVID-19 testing at Beebe. To find information about testing sites around the state, visit the State of Delaware COVID-19 Testing site. For the latest guidance on testing, vaccines, travel, etc., visit the CDC's COVID-19 site.
Treatment
For the most current information about treatments for COVID-19, please visit our Treatment page.
VACCINES/BOOSTERS
Beebe Healthcare is offering the vaccine to all our team members, and we recommend it to all eligible community members, because we see the evidence that the vaccine is safe and effective. You should consult your primary care provider before receiving the vaccine if you:
- have any allergies
- have a fever
- have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
- are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
If you have additional questions, you can call the state COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center: 302-672-6150 or email questions to: [email protected].
To schedule your vaccine, please visit our online scheduling page.
The CDC offers the most current information about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Pfizer vaccine. Each page includes sections about the number of shots you will get, how far apart they should be, vaccine ingredients, and more.
Please see the current CDC Recommendations for immunocompromised people.
Please see the current CDC recommendations for children's vaccines.
On Tuesday, March 29, the CDC recommended a second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain immunocompromised persons and those over the age of 50. Please contact your child’s pediatrician about booster doses for those under 18.
A second booster must be administered at least 4 months after the first. Scientific data continues to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. During the most recent surge, Beebe data also supported national and statewide findings of the importance of COVID vaccination.
Per the CDC, the second booster is for:
- People who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for their first shot and booster
- Adults ages 50 years and older
- People who have certain immunocompromising conditions.
Talk to your primary care provider on whether the booster is right for you. Don't have a PCP? Call 302-645-3332.
For a more detailed explanation of booster shots, see the current CDC recommendations.
Lost vaccination card? Delawareans who have lost their vaccination card should email their full name and date of birth to [email protected]. For those without email access, call DPH at 1-833-643-1715.
If you know someone who still has their card, the best thing to do is photocopy the card, and either have it laminated or put it in a clear plastic holder. Do not laminate your original card, because then you will not be able to record subsequent booster shots.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS
