You Can Now Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

CHA recommends following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines of social distancing and actions to protect yourselves from sickness.

• Avoid close contact with others who are sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (singing the Happy Birthday song twice is about 20 seconds).
• If you cannot use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Check the back label on the sanitizer bottle to make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol.
• For more information, see the CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fprevention-treatment.html

Social distancing means taking specific actions to help stop the spread of infections. These actions often include limiting social contact, including school and work even among seemingly healthy individuals. The reason this is necessary is because some people may have the virus and not know it, which means they can accidentally infect others who are less healthy than them and cause them to be hospitalized. Social distancing slows down virus transmission and reduces the overall size of an outbreak. To practice social distancing outside of work and school, avoid handshakes and hugs. If you must go out, try to stay at least six feet away from others who do not live in your household.

Some people may be at higher risk of getting sick from Coronavirus (COVID-19). If you are an older adult or if you have a serious medical condition like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, it is critical to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick.

If you are sick:

• Contact your primary care provider and ask them for the safest way to receive care
• Let your provider know if you have travelled to any affected areas in the last 14 days
• Stay home and avoid contact with others for at least 24 hours after your symptoms are gone
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

• Cascade Health Alliance has adjusted our "refill too soon" policy for medications (except pain medications) to help you through this time. Contact your pharmacy for help.

• According to the CDC, there is no specific treatment for the coronavirus. Please contact your primary care provider if you have symptoms and think you need to be tested. Your primary care provider is the first person you should call.

• Face mask are required during all indoor activities (including exercise). Face masks are required outdoors and during public event if social distancing cannot be completed.  

• To reduce risk of sickness, Cascade Health Alliance (CHA) will be delivering Diabetic and/or Medical equipment supplies to members who need them. If you need supplies, please call us before 3pm during business hours to ensure next day delivery. All requests made after 3pm will be delivered on the second business day. For example, if you call after 3pm on Monday, your order will be delivered on Wednesday. To request supplies, please call us at 541.883.2947. 

• Yes, Translink will be available. Please to call 541.842.2060 schedule your ride, as well as speak with a customer services member on specific COVID-19 protocols during transportation.

• Many behavioral health providers are expanding services to over the phone or web rather than going into your providers' office. This includes mental health and substance use support. Contact your provider to learn more.

• We realize with the sudden closure of bars, restaurants, and many other businesses that serve our community, there will be a surge in need of those who relied on those businesses for their livelihood. If you think you may now qualify for OHP benefits, please use the following link to learn more about the guidelines and sign-up process: https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/hsd/ohp/pages/ONE.aspx.

• We understand that the social distancing requirements necessary to slow down the spread of the virus will make it harder for some our members to access food in their normal ways. The following link will help you as it relates to your family's food needs: https://www.klamathfoodbank.org/index.php/food-pantry-schedules.

• The following links may help you navigate educational resources as many schools have temporarily closed to slow the spread of the virus: http://www.kfalls.k12.or.us/ and http://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/

• County Health Department: We encourage members to follow the advice and recommendations from our local health departments.
  • Klamath County
• Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): CDC is monitoring the situation closely. You can learn more at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA): OHA has posted some helpful fact sheets that can be found here: COVID-19 fact sheet and Prevention fact sheet

If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at:

• Cascade Health Alliance: 541.883.2947
• TTY: 1.800.774.4344