Coronavirus - Health Plan of San Joaquin

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, call your primary care doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a COVID-19 test site. There is no cost to members for medically-needed screening, testing, and treatment for Coronavirus.

HPSJ knows that our members, doctors, and neighbors are tuned in to the Coronavirus – and the lasting flu season! We are watching all of this closely. As with any virus, here are some steps you can take to protect your health and those around you –

HPSJ wants you to still stay safe. Please –

Stay in touch – This sickness may still cause problems until there is a safe drug that works well.
There is good news – We made the curve flatter by staying 6-feet apart, and other safety means. Now our counties are using what we know to help lead our re-open with care.
Be real – Drugs take time; there may be more waves.
For months to come we may have to:
- Stay 6-feet apart
- Do lots of hand washing
- Cough in the crook of your arm
- Wear a face cover when in public
- And other blocking tools
Talk to your doctor for your routine health needs – They are changing their set-up to keep you safe; take care of yourself so you can stay healthy and take care of your loved ones.

HPSJ staff are working safely. In this way, we are still here for you – with facts, keys to health care, and support, for our doctors – giving helpful support as we stay open with no breaks, and for our counties – where we carry on our long-custom of team work.

At HPSJ we still offer sound, health-linked news and aids for help during this time.

Mental Health Awareness

How are you feeling? HPSJ Can Help
Just because we’re mostly stuck inside
You need not keep your feelings inside!

Many of us are feeling stress. Is this you?

Message from Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD
April 22, 2020

Our Local and State Public Health Leaders Still Need Our Help!
Face Covers? Yes, but…

HOW TO Make a Cloth Face Cover

“Sew and No Sew Instructions” at CDC page
KPIX-TV Anchor Liz Cook shows you how to make a mask, click here
Johns Hopkins Medicine
New York Times, Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s one from the CDC How-To page –

Social Distancing and Shelter in Place

Message from the HPSJ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, MD

Social Distancing and Shelter in Place

Social Distancing and Shelter in Place. Now, we are all using those terms. But what do they mean to you, to your family and friends, to others and your community?

Social Distancing

Social Distancing (also called Physical Distancing) is about keeping bodily distance between people who don't live together. For each person, it means keeping 6 feet of distance (between you and anyone except immediate family) while in public or at your workplace and dodging bodily contact with people who do not share your home. At the community level, it means closing schools and workplaces and canceling events like concerts, shows, and sports. Remember, the person who does not look sick may still be a carrier! Wrong vs. Right. But one aspect of Social Distancing — to skip gatherings of 10 people or more — has made for a lot of confusion. It has given the sense that while public indoor events are bad, it’s OK to host up to nine people at your home or outside. That is not right! Now all people should limit close contact to only family members, indoors and outdoors. This means no dinner parties or BBQs, no play dates, no birthday parties with a few friends. Who should do this? ALL PEOPLE! Why is this important: You can have the virus and not show any symptoms; or you could be mildly sick or very sick. Even if you are not sick you can spread the virus and make others sick. So please keep 6 feet away from others.

Shelter in Place

This means stay home. Do not leave the house unless you must. Don’t mix with people outside your family. Do not go to a friend’s house for dinner or invite a trusted friend over. Quarantine

During a shelter-in-place order, you are often allowed to go outside for essentials — to pick up groceries or meds — but you should limit those trips to no more than once a week if you can. Be sure to keep 6 feet away from others. People with vital jobs — like in public safety, health care, sanitation, or groceries — can still go to work. And you can visit someone if you are their caregiver. But remember: You still must be 6 feet away from others. Who should do this? ALL PEOPLE who live in a place with a shelter-in-place order! – From California and Washington State, to New York. Now, it is vital to keep to yourself as much as possible. This is how we can save lives – from the people we care about, to the healthcare experts who care for us!

Tips for Staying Healthy