Dear Patient,

We are getting daily updates regarding the status of the coronavirus. Please know that we, at Siena Hills Primary Care, are taking all possible precautions and safety procedures for our patients and our staff. We are following recommendations closely from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local health authorities. Our shared goal is to care for affected individuals, while taking steps to limit person-to-person spread within our community.

For your safety and convenience, we are offering telemedicine visit/virtual visits, if medically appropriate.  Please ask about this when scheduling.

When you are scheduled for a televisit, our staff will call you few minutes before your appointment to guide you through the process. 

We are currently NOT testing for the coronavirus at our clinic. But if you would like to get tested, UNLV Medicine, is conducting curbside COVID-19 testing for members of the public who meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for testing.  Individuals who are exhibiting symptoms as defined by the CDC or who have been in direct contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should call (702) 583-4408 between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Friday for an appointment to be tested. 

If you have an urgent problem and need to reach your doctor right away, please call 702-614-0850 and follow instructions to reach the on-call doctor. If you are having an emergency, please call 911.

While there is a great deal of news coverage about COVID-19, it is important to keep in mind that 80% of COVID-19 cases are mild or without symptoms, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Similar to the seasonal flu, COVID-19 infection is more severe in patients with chronic underlying health conditions and the elderly.

How to protect yourself and others:

o Avoid public gatherings and work from home when possible.

o Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty. It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

o Cover your cough or sneeze—using your elbow or a tissue. Then throw the tissue in the trash. (Putting a tissue on a table contaminates the surface of the table with germs.)

o Stay home when you are sick.

o Routinely disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. You can use a cleaning spray or wipe that includes effective disinfectant ingredients, such as 62%-71% ethanol (ethyl alcohol), 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite (bleach).

Higher risk populations:

COVID-19 is more serious for those who are elderly, have pre-existing illness, are immunocompromised, who smoke or are pregnant. Data shows the disease is more severe for those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension and cancer. Certain drugs may suppress your immune system and also put you at higher risk.

If you fall into a high-risk category, we recommend taking additional precautions to protect yourself from exposure. These may include:

o Limiting unnecessary travel outside the home

o Refraining from large public gatherings

o Avoiding potentially infected people

o Diligently following the protective and disinfecting measures listed above

The health and safety of all team members is a top priority. Patients who exhibit any respiratory symptoms and/or cough will also be asked to wear masks. Practicing good hygiene, which is also encouraged during the regular cold and flu season, is important for protecting everyone. 

 Let us work together in limiting the spread of this disease within our community.