JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The 59th Medical Wing is working with our military and community partners to keep everyone updated with the latest information regarding COVID-19. Please keep in mind the risk of infection remains low; there are currently no community cases of COVID-19 in Bexar County or the City of San Antonio.
As a general reminder, we are still in the height of cold and flu season. If you are sick, stay home from work or school to limit the spread of illness to others.
Sometimes it is difficult to know if and when to seek medical help for acute health problems, so having professional help at a moment's notice is invaluable.
The Nurse Advice Line for TRICARE beneficiaries is a team of registered nurses who are available 24/7 to answer a variety of urgent healthcare questions. Visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com for a web or video chat, or dial 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1. They can help you decide whether self-care is the best option, or if it is better to see a healthcare provider. Our beneficiaries also can schedule an appointment with their PCM by calling the Consult Appointment Management Office at 210-916-9900.
To protect yourself and those around you from viruses, please consider calling in before seeking care. Call the Nurse Advice Line or your PCM before coming to the Family Emergency Center or Brooke Army Medical Center. If you are experiencing a health emergency, call 911.
There are several actions the CDC recommends to prevent infection:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for 10 minutes.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Notify supervisors and consider staying home when you are sick.
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating;, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are healthy wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
For more information about virus prevention, visit https://www.cdc.gov/. For more information on COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has opened a COVID-19 hotline for residents to ask questions about the virus. The hotline is available in English and Spanish.