A message from ChristianaCare about coronavirus
To our neighbors:
As the coronavirus COVID-19 impacts our community, at ChristianaCare, we are guided more than ever by our values, love and excellence, to anticipate your needs and protect the safety of our patients, our community and each other.
Our caregivers are trained in using the CDC guidelines to screen patients appropriately and isolate those suspected of the coronavirus. We are working closely with our Infection Prevention team to coordinate testing with the Delaware Division of Public Health when it is needed. Our hospitals are equipped to care for patients with coronavirus, and we have protocols in place to protect ourselves and our neighbors.
We are actively working in the community to expand access to coronavirus testing for people who need it, beginning with Delaware’s first drive-through testing event on March 13 that offered free testing for people with symptoms.
We have also made changes to hospital visitor and event policies to lower the risk for community spread of coronavirus. This and other information to help guide you is available on our website. We continue to update this information and our readiness as the situation evolves.
What to do if you are worried that you might have coronavirus
The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu, such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing. If you have symptoms, or if you believe you were exposed to someone who has coronavirus, please call your doctor or healthcare provider for advice, or call the Delaware Division of Public Health coronavirus information line at 1-866-408-1899, TTY at 1-800-232-5460 or email dphcall@delaware.gov. If you are a ChristianaCare patient, you may use your online Patient Portal to communicate with your care team.
What NOT to do
Most people who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms do not need to go to the emergency department.
Please do not go to the emergency department unless you are experiencing symptoms that are severe or life-threatening. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
If you are concerned you have coronavirus, please do NOT show up at your doctor’s office. Instead, please call your doctor and ask if it is appropriate for you to keep or make an appointment, and get instructions from your doctor.
These steps help us to protect your safety and the safety of others.
For more information about what to do if you are sick, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website here.
If you need care, we are here for you
Your health and safety are our priority. ChristianaCare services remain open and ready to provide effective, safe care if you need it. This includes our primary care practices, urgent care centers and all of our outpatient services, in addition to our hospitals and emergency departments.
Additional resources to help you
If you have questions about how to protect yourself or your family during this pandemic, please refer to the trusted online resources available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Delaware Division of Public Health, as well as ChristianaCare’s website and our Twitter for important announcements. You may also call the Delaware coronavirus information line at 866-408-1899.
Thank you for trusting ChristianaCare as your partner in health. Our caregivers are working hard, every day, to meet the needs of our community and support you through this crisis.
Yours in service,
Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH
President & CEO
ChristianaCare
