COVID-19 Resources and Utah State Coronavirus Task Force Updates

March 12, 2020

UAFP is committed to supporting our members on the front lines of this pandemic, public health agencies, and government leaders in their strident efforts to keep our communities as safe and healthy as possible in this time of uncertainty.

Family Physicians are the first line of treatment for ill patients. With the anticipated spread of COVID-19, we want to ensure our members are taking necessary precautions as they encounter patients who present with potential symptoms, and that you have access to the most current information about dealing with the virus.

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has produced a resource page with up-to-date information for both patients and physicians. Please refer to the following page for office preparedness checklists, payment and telehealth updates, and multiple links to additional resources:

https://www.aafp.org/patient-care/emergency/2019-coronavirus.html

If you are evaluating a patient for suspected COVID-19 infection, please contact the Utah Department of Health immediately at 888-374-8824.

For informational inquiries, call the Utah Coronavirus Information Line: 800-456-7707

In addition, we want to advise you of the latest directives from Governor Gary Herbert and the COVID-19 Task Force. The recommendations of the task force apply to the next two weeks but could last for longer. They include:

  • Limit mass gatherings to less than 100, including church meetings, concerts, and conferences. This does not apply to schools or businesses.
  • Those over the age of 60 and those with compromised immune systems should avoid gatherings of more than 20 people.
  • If you are sick, stay home. If you can work from home, do so.
  • Local health departments are in charge of the assessments of local schools and tasked to protect high-risk populations by requiring long-term care and other care facilities to restrict access and monitor employees and visitors for symptoms.

Contact:

Maryann Martindale, UAFP Executive Director, martindalemm@utahafp.org, 801-557-1532

Kyle B. Jones, UAFP Board President, kbjones11@gmail.com, 801-660-0535