COVID-19 Vaccinations >
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS: Shortness of breath, fever, dry cough, headache, body aches, ear ache, sore throat, loss of the sense of smell or taste, or sometimes abdominal pain, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
DIFFICULTY BREATHING
- People experiencing extreme difficulty breathing should call 911 or visit the Emergency Department immediately.
- If breathing is troublesome but manageable, please call Colorado Mountain Medical at (970) 926-6340 to schedule an appointment at a respiratory clinic:
- CMM Clinic-Eagle Healthcare Center (respiratory clinic downstairs): 970-926-6340
- CMM Clinic-Vail Medical Professional Building (respiratory clinic main level): 970-926-6340
- Avon Urgent Care-Chapel Square next to City Market (respiratory clinic): 970-949-6100
- Emergency department at Vail Health Hospital: 970-479-7225
- 911: If extreme difficulty breathing or after-hours
MOST AT RISK:
People who already have a chronic illness or are at risk of getting one should avoid unnecessary public contact. This includes people with cancer, people over the age of 60, and people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, abnormally high blood pressure, cancer or anyone who is otherwise immunocompromised.
The focus at this time and the future weeks is to slow the spread of the virus, protect the medical infrastructure, and protect the most vulnerable people in the community. Take personal responsibility to help stop the spread.
FACE COVERINGS ARE A TOP PRIORITY
Face coverings is as important as ever and will remain that way for the foreseeable future! When you leave your home, please wear a face covering, especially entering common areas like grocery stores. Face coverings will still be required on ECO Transit and Avon buses. Always wear a face covering when seeking medical care, and be sure to call ahead. While the county and Vail Health are not supplying face coverings, medical grade masks aren’t needed for everyday activities. A buff, bandana, or even an old cut up t-shirt will do the trick. Or you can get creative and make your own face covering! See instructions in English here and Spanish here. And check out this great video featuring Chris Lindley, Epidemiologist at Vail Health, as he offers some tips and tricks to making your own face covering using a bandana and two elastic bands or hair ties. Learn more about face coverings at www.eaglecounty.us/facecoverings.
ISOLATION AND HOMECARE RECOMMENDATIONS: If you have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or are feeling ill and think that you have COVID-19 but have not tested, please follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community:
- Self-report your symptoms to Eagle County Public Health using this form (confidential and optional)
- Stay home
- Family members and roommates of a person with symptoms, separate yourself from other people in your home (minimum of 6 feet whenever possible)
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor and do not show up at testing facilities without a confirmed appointment
- Wear a facemask if encountering others
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wash your hands frequently, and for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid sharing personal household items and clean all “high touch” surfaces daily
- Monitor your symptoms for worsening illness, for example shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and seek medical attention.
- Stay home for 7 days from start of symptoms and 72 hours until fever free, whichever is longer.
WHO SHOULD BE TESTED:
- Any Individual exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 even if you were previously screened and it was determined you did not require testing. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, dry cough, headache, body aches, ear ache, sore throat, loss of the sense of smell or taste, or sometimes abdominal pain, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Call the Colorado Health Emergency Line (CO Help) at 1-877-462-2911 for more information.
- Eagle County Public Health is utilizing ecemergency.org to provide the most recent guidance from the CDC regarding coronavirus.
TESTING FOR THE UNINSURED
Not everybody in our Valley needs to be screened for COVID-19. If you have symptoms but do not have health insurance and are concerned about your ability to pay, please call a primary care provider and we’ll ensure that you get screened and tested for free.
COVID-19 PAYMENT INFORMATION
During these unprecedented times, our goal as a nonprofit community healthcare system is to take care of our local community’s health, and that includes financial health. To help achieve this goal, Vail Health has waived any patient out-of-pocket payment obligations for COVID-19 screening, testing and COVID-19 related hospital care in the Emergency Department, Patient Care Unit (PCU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Uninsured patients will not be charged for their COVID-19 care. If a patient has health insurance, we will work with their insurance company on payment and ensure the patient pays $0 related to their deductible, co-insurance and out-of-pocket expenses. A positive COVID-19 test is required to receive this payment relief. If you have needed COVID-19 care and received a bill, please contact our customer service team at 888 209-7711 or email customerservice@vailhealth.org.
For non-COVID-19 related services, Vail Health’s financial assistance policy has been increased to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines and is available to supplement a patient’s out-of-pocket obligations. For context, a family of four making $131,000 or less annually would be eligible for financial assistance. Vail Health will work with each patient needing financial assistance, including sensitivity to any changes in employment or income. For help with financial assistance, please contact one of our counselors at 970-477-3116.