Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks).
• In the bedroom/bathroom dedicated for an ill person: consider reducing cleaning frequency to as-needed (e.g., soiled items and surfaces) to avoid unnecessary contact with the ill person.
• As much as possible, an ill person should stay in a specific room and away from other people in their home, following home care guidance.
  The caregiver can provide personal cleaning supplies for an ill person’s room and bathroom, unless the room is occupied by child or another person for whom such supplies would not be appropriate. These supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners.
• If a separate bathroom is not available, the bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected after each use by an ill person. If this is not possible, the caregiver should wait as long as practical after use by an ill person to clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces.

How to Clean and Disinfect

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Throw away the gloves after each cleaning. If you use reusable gloves, they should only be used for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.

Clean dirty surfaces using a detergent or soap and water before you disinfect them.

To disinfect, you can use diluted household bleach solutions or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Make sure the cleaner is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
For soft or porous surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present directed by the manufacturer. If possible, wash items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely.

Washing the Laundry

If possible, wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person. Throw away immediately. If using reusable gloves, those gloves should only be used for cleaning and disinfecting the area around a sick person. Do not use them for any other purpose. Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed. If you don’t have gloves, be sure to wash your hands immediately after handling the laundry.

Do not shake dirty laundry. Shaking could release the virus into the air.

Wash items as instructed by the manufacturer. Wash using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to the above information. If possible, consider putting a disposable or washable bag liner in the hamper.

Hand Washing and Other Preventive Measures

Household members should wash hands often, including right after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash with soap and water.

Household members should avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. People should wash their hands:

• After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After using the restroom
• Before eating or preparing food
• After contact with animals or pets
• Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)

The sick person should eat or be fed in their room if possible. Non-disposable food service items used should be handled with gloves and washed with hot water or in a dishwasher. Remember to wash your hands after handling dirty dishes.

Have the sick person use one trash can that has a liner in it. Wear gloves when removing garbage bags or throwing away trash. Wash your hands after handling or disposing of trash.

In an effort to keep our patients well, we are not scheduling appointments for healthy people who are not experiencing flu-like symptoms at this time. If your health changes, or if you experience anxiety due to the coronavirus outbreak, please call us at (303) 650-4460.

Basic flu-prevention techniques will help you avoid the coronavirus. We recommend that you:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if you can’t wash your hand.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are sick (and keep sick children home from school).
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you use a tissue, wash your hands afterwards.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

To avoid possibly exposing healthy children and families to the coronavirus, we are delaying appointments for routine vaccinations (shots) for all well children. If your child is six months old or younger and due for vaccines, we will contact you to arrange for their shots as soon as possible.

The exception to this is for newborns. Infants who are 6-10 weeks old and have not received vaccinations since birth do need shots. Please call (303) 650-4460 or request an appointment on the front page of our web site and we will call you back.

The coronavirus is presenting an unprecedented challenge to our dental teams. We are taking extra precautions to assure that Clinica dental providers are helping control the spread of the virus. As of March 16, 2020, Clinica is not providing regular dental cleanings or exams. We are also discontinuing dental hygienist services in our medical clinics. We are only providing emergency dental care so that patients do not use hospital emergency room services for dental needs.

If you need emergency dental care and are not experiencing a fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call us at (303) 650-4460.

If you are experiencing a cough, fever or shortness of breath and have mild/moderate dental pain, consider taking an over the counter pain reliever. Follow instructions listed on the bottle. You can try ibuprofen (do NOT take Ibuprofen if you are pregnant) or Tylenol Extra Strength.

Once we resume normal business in our dental clinics, we will contact patients needing to reschedule appointments.

While our dental services are limited, it’s important to keep your teeth healthy.
• Brush twice a day for two minutes.
• Floss daily.
• If you have been prescribed a prescription toothpaste (Prevident 5000) by your dentist, please use it every night. Brush for two minutes, spit out excess toothpaste and do NOT rinse with water afterwards.
• If you or a family member is sick, soak your toothbrush in an alcohol-based mouth rinse.
• Never share your toothbrush!

Clinica’s pharmacies are open. Please call (720) 207-0150 to request a prescription refill. If you have any other questions about medications, please call us at (303) 650-4460.

Call the pharmacy where you last had your prescription filled to find out how they are handling medication refills during the coronavirus outbreak. If you run into difficulties, please call us at (303) 650-4460.

Hunger Free Colorado

Many food banks in Boulder, Broomfield and Adams counties are open and providing groceries to those hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Hunger Free Colorado can help you find a food bank close to you, assist with SNAP and WIC applications, meal sites, nutrition information and more . Click here.

We understand that Clinica’s patients need more than health care to get through this difficult time. You can find resources for housing, pets, legal assistance, crisis assistance, other service providers and more at the following locations.

Mile High United Way 2-1-1

Call 2-1-1- or click here to go to their web site.

Boulder County Families & Adults

Click here for energy, food, housing and other assistance in Boulder County.

Adams County Human Services

Click here for information about food assistance, Head Start, veterans programs and more in Adams County.

Broomfield County

Click here for food, housing services and job opportunities available in Broomfield County.

OnwardCO

Clinick here for one-stop online resource for the people of Colorado impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Search for information on employment, training, and basic essentials such as food and housing assistance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are closely monitoring the coronavirus. Their web site has information on how to protect yourself and those around you from getting the virus, determining if your risk, and useful general information. Click here to go to the CDC’s web site.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has information about how Colorado is meeting the challenges of the coronavirus. Click here to go to the CDPHE’s web site.

Boulder County Public Health and the Tri-County Health Department are working to control the coronavirus at the local level.

Click here for Boulder County Public Health’s web site.

Click here for the Tri-County Health Department’s web site.