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JBSA News
NEWS | March 26, 2020

BAMC will only test high-risk populations that meet specific criteria for COVID-19

By Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs

Due to increasing levels of community transmission and in order to ensure availability of testing in our highest-risk populations, effective March 26, Brooke Army Medical Center will only test high-risk populations that meet specific criteria, such as cases in which the test result will help in making significant clinical decisions.

Keep in mind that most people do not need to be tested; treatment for mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, or any other viral respiratory illness, is to stay home until better.

As an additional precaution to prevent COVID-19 spread, BAMC will still continue to conduct drive-thru screening to assess the need for further evaluation in Parking Lot C weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In general, if you're feeling sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should stay home and call a healthcare professional before returning to work or your regular routine.

Beneficiaries can call the SAMHS COVID-19 Nurse Advice Line at 210-581-2266, Option 6, to book a CAMO appointment or for home-care instructions. The advice line is available Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. After hours, call the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1 or visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com for a web or video chat. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

As an additional resource, the CDC has an interactive COVID-19 Self-Checker that's intended as a guide to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html, and click on “Coronavirus Self-Checker.”

In most cases, people should stay home when feeling ill. Together we can help to stop the spread of COVID-19!