Whittier Street Health Center : COVID-19 update

• Effective April 13th, 2020, we will be providing testing for COVID19. It will be a walk-up and drive-thru COVID-19 testing, outside our 1290 Tremont Street building, for Whittier and non-Whittier patients. You will need to show proof of identity including date of birth.
• We will accept walk-ins and scheduled patients must be at least 18 years of age. There is no charge to you. The testing hours will be : Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM

In compliance with the CDC guidance AND the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, we recommend testing if you have a:
1. Fever of 100°F or higher
2. Cough
3. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Or if you have any of the following medical conditions?
1. Asthma or chronic lung disease
2. Serious heart condition, such as congestive heart failure
3. Diabetes
4. Diseases or conditions that make it harder to cough
5. Extreme obesity
6. Kidney failure or end stage renal disease
7. Cirrhosis of the liver
8. Conditions that result in a weakened immune system, including cancer treatment
9. Pregnancy

Or
• Do you live in a nursing home or long-term care facility?
• Are you a health care worker, first responder or law enforcement officer?
• Do you live or work in a treatment facility, group home or other group setting?
• Are you a caregiver for either an older person (age 60 or older) or someone who has a weakened immune system?

• Whittier is open for in-person medical sick visits for children and adults.
• Whittier is open for in-person routine medical and behavioral healthcare for children and adults.
• We are also providing telehealth visits for non-urgent medical and behavioral health visits.
• Call your provider or high risk nurse at Whittier if you feel sick, prior to going to a hospital.
• If you have a health condition, we encourage you to stay in care during this time. This is beneficial to your long-term wellness.
• Our Food Pantry is open for food distribution to our parents.
• We have established an Emergency Childcare Center

CONTACT TRACING:

In conjunction with our new testing initiative, we are working with the MA Community Tracing Collaborative to help accelerate efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by scaling up the state’s capacity for contact tracing. Contact tracing, which entails identifying and contacting individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 so they can isolate/self-quarantine to prevent further spread, is a time-tested public health intervention that has proven to be an essential tool in bringing infectious disease outbreaks under control.

For more information, please call 617 427 1000

Your good health is our number one priority!

INFECTION CONTROL TIPS:
• Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a face mask when around others.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

Warm regards,
Whittier Street Health Care
Comprehensive.Compassionate.Community