Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Call your health care provider or local hospital to seek guidance. Explain your symptoms, travel history, and any additional exposure you may have had. Do not visit your health care provider without calling first to help reduce exposure to others.

It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19. Some other viruses, like the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. At this time, it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when weather becomes warmer. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.

To help stop the spread of any viral respiratory disease, including Coronavirus, you should:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
• Cover coughs/sneezes with your arm or a tissue.
• Avoid exposure to others who are at risk. Stay home if you are sick.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has a variety of tips on how to protect yourself and the community.

For a full checklist, view the Household Checklist provided by the Ohio Department of Health.

• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces often. These include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
• Keep an adequate supply of water, food, and pet food in your home. If you take prescription drugs, contact your health care provider, pharmacist, or insurance provider about keeping an emergency supply at home.
• Keep a working thermometer and respiratory medications, like decongestants, expectorants, and analgesics (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), on hand.

Get a flu shot this season if you haven’t already. It won’t protect against COVID-19, but it can help protect against flu or lessen symptoms if you get it, lessening the strain on health care facilities.

The best thing to do is remain calm, take preventative and precautionary measures, and use credible sources such as the CDC, local health department, and the Ohio Department of Health for updates.

• Disclose results for you or your loved ones over the phone.

• Provide copies of test results to patient’s or the patients authorized representative.
• Release copies of test results to designated entities as authorized by the patient or patients authorized representative.

• The patient or the patient’s representative should call the Health Information Management Department at 419-660-2702 during the hours of 7am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
  • The patient/representative will be asked to complete the authorization to disclose protected health information (PHI) and furnish sufficient identification.
  • A patient’s representative is defined as the parent or guardian of the patient who is a minor, or the conservator of the patient. Proof of guardianship of minor or conservator of a person must be shown.
• In cases which involve minor children (under 18 years of age) the patient or guardian must provide required authorization for release of information. Both custodial and non-custodial parents have the right to authorize the release of their child’s medical information as well as the right to inspect or receive copies of said information.

• Patient portal – the recommended method. No authorization is required to sign up for the portal. You
  may sign up by visiting FisherTitus.org/patient-portal
• In person
• Encrypted email
• Mail
• CD
• Fax

If we are under Level Red visitation guidelines or you are unable to leave your home, you will receive the authorization form from an HIM ROI Specialist via email or mailed copy if you do not have email.

• Once the email is received you can print, complete and scan, fax or take a photocopy with your smart phone or tablet and email back.
• If you do not have the ability to print but do have a computer or smart phone/device
  • The Adobe Fill & Sign – is user friendly and will allow you to fill out and sign your authorization form electronically on your computer or smart device and email back to the HIM Department.
  • If you have questions you can call the HIM Department at 419-660-2702 during the hours of 7am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday to assist.
  • Once the HIM Department has received your signed authorization, a copy of your results will be released to you or disclosed to the entity of your choice per your authorization form.