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

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!