I got sick with Covid this week but not too sick by Your absolute Grace! Thank you for preparing the vaccine before I got sick, so I don’t get severe illness.

Thank you that I didn’t pass the virus to my family and friends by Your absolute Grace!

Dr. Tewodros Teketel (“Dr. Teddy”) 

Medical Director and Founder, Zion Urgent Care Clinic

After having practiced medicine and trained in Texas, California, Europe, and Africa, Dr. Teketel founded and leads Zion Urgent Care Clinic in Katy, Texas, with joy. Although certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine with over a decade of practicing medicine in the US, Dr. Teddy also brings six years of overseas medical experience during his time with Doctors Without Borders.

Lord, I pray today for all suffering from Covid directly, and indirectly. I pray for Your Comforting Spirit to cover those who have lost their loved ones from it. I pray for all who are sick from Covid-19 to be healed not only physically but also spiritually, and get the great revelation of Your Grace and Mercy on them.

I pray for all those conflicted and stressed about vaccines to get a clarity of mind. I pray for all those who have no access to vaccines to be able to get it.

I thank you that You will help us through this difficult protracted pandemic, and help us to see beyond our knowledges and opinions, and beyond fear and skepticism.

Help us walk in faith and rely on Your absolute Graceful presence around us!

Help us, Lord! Heal your people, Lord! Whenever we are in a situation of absolutely having no control of our lives, only then, we will truly understand The Grace of God. 

Dr. Teddy

Note: Dr. Teddy shared this prayer while being under self-quarantine after a positive COVID-19 test and symptoms. He has since fully recovered.

Last updated: August 10, 2021

Listen in as Jeanette Winters from the Katy Returns to Work Task Force interviews Dr. Teddy Teketel during his presentation on how we can return to “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Katy business owners consider Governor Abbott’s return to work initiative, the Katy Returns to Work Task Force was created to enable and support the safe re-opening of the business community. This group is supported by the Katy Chamber of Commerce, the Katy Area Economic Development Council, the Fulshear-Katy Chamber of Commerce, Christ Clinic, and Houston Methodist West Hospital.

Update: July 28, 2020.

• Well here we are 4 months since it started, 3 million infected worldwide and 1 million recovered, 220,000 dead. USA with over 1 million infected and 60,000 dead. We seem to have passed the peak for both daily new infection and daily deaths.
• In terms of the disease presentation itself, we have been seeing new symptoms such as loss of sense of smell and taste and repeated shaking with chills. Also new concerning symptoms being seen are Covid causing heart attacks and strokes in young (less than 50) and healthy individuals. Also seen are deep blue toes (terms as Covid toes) as a form of blood clotting disorder newly seen in Covid-19 patients.
• Tests are more available currently including for asymptomatic people who ask for testing. New antibody test also started although not proven to be of clinical significance.
• With all the abundance of information and disinformation, I would again advice people to follow authorities like CDC for their primary source

The CDC has prepared a self-assessment tool which is accurate and evidence based. The CDC tool yields a recommendation for the patient – seek further care, stay at home, etc. – based on the current CDC guidelines. Go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html and click on “Coronavirus self-checker.” 

What Are The Tests Available And Their Benefits?

The initial test which is mainly the one that has been used to diagnose Covid disease is called PCR test, which means it detects a part of the Virus body. It is a sensitive test and it is what should be used to diagnose an active infection for purposes of isolation and contract tracing.

The antibody test detects our immune response which is assumed to last at least for a few months. It is still debatable how much the immunity is protective as there are reports of second infection in some areas.  I believe that with this method, you can add value to workplaces dealing with ‘return to work’ questions, and possible immunity for workers especially for health workers who had been infected , while also providing surveillance data to policy makers.

What Advice Would You Give Someone Who Has Had And Recovered From COVID Who Now Has A Second Close Personal Exposure Or Who Has Travelled? Should They Be Isolated For 14 Days Again? What If They Are A Healthcare Worker Or Flight Attendant? Does The Antibody Test Help At All In This Scenario?

According to basic immunology, and testing of infected patients, once a patient has recovered, they produce IgM followed by IgG as part of the recovery. I am comfortable assuming that such a person has developed at least short-term immunity, or they would not have recovered from the acute infection. I would not advise another period of quarantine, until the CDC or published literature explicitly recommends otherwise.

Having said that, I would still advise a previously infected and recovered person to follow all of the other recommend measures to avoid unnecessary exposure to an active case until we know for sure the immunity is long-lasting

Businesses Are Beginning To Reopen And Kickstart Our Ailing Economy Here In Texas Already. According To Your Opinion, When Can An Employee’s Return To Work Safely? What Would Be The Risk If/When All Businesses Open?

Let me answer the last question first. The risk of going back to business as usual would be, as the virus is still circulating in the community and not a lot of people have been infected, due to our hard work to leave our jobs and isolate, there is likely to be increased transmissions especially in businesses who deal with direct public contact every day.

Therefore I would advise at least employees likely to come in contact with vulnerable customers ( elderly, other chronic health issues like Diabetes, Hypertension, chronic lung issues, immune system disorders) to get tested regularly and make sure they don’t pass the disease. I would leave the choice of test to their clinician.

Additionally, all employees with respiratory symptoms and or fever see their physicians before going back to work and do the tests as needed.

How Is Zion Urgent Care Doing In Terms Of Covid-19?

Since the very beginning we have responded proactively by making the PCR test available, even when we didn’t have the necessary Protective Equipment. We are currently providing both the antibody and the PCR test and have tested 60 patients. 

Last Updated: May 1, 2020

What is Considered an Urgent Medical Condition?

Some examples include:

• Accidents and falls
• Cuts that don’t involve much blood but might need stitches
• Breathing difficulties, such as mild to moderate asthma
• Diagnostic services, including X-rays and laboratory tests
• Eye irritation and redness
• Fever or flu
• Minor broken bones and fractures in fingers or toes
• Moderate back problems
• Severe sore throat or cough
• Skin rashes and infections
• Sprains and strains
• Strep, STD and pregnancy tests
• Urinary tract infections
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration

Direct Primary Care

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based healthcare model that gives patients continuous access to their provider for a low monthly fee. Patient fees cover extended visits, some clinical, lab and consultative services, care coordination, and comprehensive care management.

Walk-in Clinic

In addition, Zion provides non-urgent care. Call or text 832.447.6454 to schedule a time for vaccinations, sports physicals, annual exams, in-office labs (strep, pregnancy, flu) and much more.
Zion Urgent Care Katy, Texas

Above all, Zion Urgent Care is Katy’s newest clinic and offers short wait times, compassionate and affordable care and full service primary care. We are here to serve the Katy, TX community, working with schools, the chamber of commerce and other organizations to keep our patients healthy. Contact us today at 832.447.6454 and visit our website to learn more about how we focus on a mind/body/spirit approach to health care.

Camps, Sports and Summer School

Summer can be tough for working parents (or any parent who treasures quiet time), and since it’s hard to raise free-range kids in our times, people often turn to a mashup of camps, summer school and sports to keep their little ones busy. Summer health is important and Zion Urgent Care offers flat fee exams and paperwork so that you can rest assured that you have all the documentation you will need.

Sun, Bugs and Dehydration

It’s important for everyone to protect themselves from sun damage, especially between the hours of 10am and 4pm. This means sunscreen, bugspray, sunhats, and sunglasses for each family member who is enjoying the great outdoors, whether it’s at the community pool, the beach or hiking in the woods. Remember to keep hydrated. Keeping your water bottle filled is a great habit to get into, especially when you are out in the hot sun.

Scrapes, Falls and Injuries

You may find yourself being more active during the long days of summer. In addition to protecting yourself against the sun and heat, it’s important to make sure your family takes necessary safety precautions, like wearing helmets when bike riding, life jackets when out on the water and other protective gear when playing sports. For life’s little emergencies, there is Urgent Care. Keep Zion Urgent care on speed dial – we can see you remotely with our Telemedicine option or you can make an appointment to come in and see the doctor with no wait. Summer health is important for summer fun!

Call or text us at 832.447.6454

Bug Bites

Mosquitoes are one obvious culprit, but others abound. Ticks like our tall grass, as do other creepy crawlies. Black widow and brown recluse spiders live in Texas and are dangerous to children and adults. Animals tend to pick up fleas as the weather warms up. Keep an eye out for itchy or painful red bumps and if you suspect a spider bite, check with your urgent care clinic.

Dog Bites

Just as kids love to run around in the neighborhood, dogs are likely to get out and run too. If you or your child does not know an approaching dog, it’s best to stay away. If you do end up with a bite that pierces the skin, it’s important to have it checked by a doctor.

Head Injuries

Kids and adults alike enjoy riding bikes, skateboards and scooters as the weather warms up. Teaching safe behaviors – such as wearing a helmet when riding a bike or scooter – limits risk-taking on playgrounds and on bike paths, and will help keep your family safe.

Alcohol Poisoning

Spring break is a classic time for college age kids to let loose and this can sometimes include partying too hard and drinking too much. Binge drinking is alcohol consumption that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of 0.08%or higher. Friends need to watch out for friends in these high-risk situations and parents need to stay alert to the signs of binge drinking.

Zion Urgent Care Clinic offers convenient and caring medical treatment in any of these cases. No appointment necessary!

According to a new study by the State Health Access Data Assistance Center, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the number of uninsured children in Texas has declined by nearly 226,000. Over the past few years the 23%decrease in the number of uninsured kids in the Texas came as a direct result of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“Analyzing the most recent U.S. Census data, researchers found uninsured children in the state fell across all racial, ethnic and economic levels, from 13.2%in 2013 to 9.8%in 2016. Hispanic children were among the largest group of uninsured to be affected. Approximately 117,000 Hispanic children received insurance, a 25.9%drop. Those from middle-income households saw a 22%drop, or 96,000 fewer uninsured kids.”

This is good news for the parents and children of our country. Nationally, 2.2 million fewer children are uninsured, reflecting a 38 percent drop in the number of uninsured kids across the US.

Texas placed second only to California, in the list of states with the largest reduction in the number of uninsured kids from 2013 to 2017. The top five states with fewer uninsured children included:

• California (455,150 fewer uninsured children)
• Texas (225,678)
• Florida (212,363)
• Georgia (85,337)
• Arizona (83,322)

“The decline in the number of uninsured children after the enactment of the ACA is historic and persistent,” said report author Elizabeth Lukanen. “It is especially encouraging to see rates of uninsured children drop in almost all states and across kids of different demographic and income groups. Given the uncertain health policy environment, ongoing monitoring of children’s insurance rates will be necessary to ensure these reductions are sustained.”

“Between 2013 and 2016, the percentage of uninsured children in Texas dropped regardless of the highest level of education attained in the household, but the reduction was greatest in households where the highest education level was high school or less, from 20%of children in those uninsured households in 2013 to 15.1%in 2016.”

“When adults gain coverage, kids do too, as seen by these very positive trends between 2013 and 2016,” said Katherine Hempstead, senior adviser at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “The process also works in reverse—so given the recent uptick in the uninsurance rate and the potential for more, we should be aware that this progress in kids’ coverage may be jeopardized.”