COVID-19 : FAQ's

12/31/20 Updates: Welcome to Ranch View Family Medicine! We have high hopes for 2021! We look forward to working successfully with you!

We are experiencing and extremely high call and portal message volume that exceeds our capacity to respond in a timely fashion to our Ranch View patient family. COVID vaccine and exposure questions are causing a severe back-log in our ability to get back to our patient lives. Please help us!

  1. Please contact your pharmacy for refills and allow a week to process.
  2. Please do not call or message us regarding COVID exposure or vaccine questions unless you are actively having COVID symptoms.

Quick COVID FAQ’s:

  • We do NOT have the COVID vaccine. We do NOT have a vaccine wait list.
  • If Ranch View gains access to the COVID vaccine for you, you will be contacted by text message or e-mail.
  • If you are considered an essential worker you will need to check with your employer regarding when you can receive your COVID vaccine. Ranch View Family Medicine does not have this information.
  • At this point, distribution information indicates we will NOT have the vaccine at Ranch View prior to June 1, 2021.
  • The government has selected a few large health care facilities with the means and security to hold and protect the vaccine.
  • The Colorado Health Department can help you find a vaccine distribution center near you and can answer all of your COVID exposure and COVID vaccine questions. Click here.
  • If you have a COVID question, and NO COVID symptoms, please call your health department COVID hotline. (TriCounty Health)
    Ranch View has a COVID clinic in the rear of the building with a separate entrance, parking lot check-in, and separate COVID lab.
    For persons who are actively sick with COVID, please start with Ranch View.

Q. How is this new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) spread?

COVID-19 is spread person-to-person, mostly through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. It is also able to remain on surfaces and objects for over 2 hours.  Recent studies also show that particles can remain in the air for an extended period of time.

Q. Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

Most transmission occurs from symptomatic persons, but there is a small chance that asymptomatic persons can transmit the virus.

Q. How easily does this virus spread?

It is believed that COVID-19 is twice as infectious as the flu. The virus can also be transmitted for a much longer period of time compared to other viruses, possibly up to a month after initial exposure.

Q. Who is considered high risk?

A. Based off COVID-19 complications, as well as data from previous cases, those who are considered high risk include

  • Older adults (> 50 years old)
  • Those with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and immunocompromised persons, e.g. persons being actively treated for cancer

Q. Will warm weather stop the spread of COVID-19?

A. Unfortunately it is too early to tell if warmer weather will slow the spread of this virus.

Q. I have symptoms that are worrisome for COVID-19. What should I do?

A. RVFM advises that you quarantine yourself IMMEDIATELY at your home. Please avoid persons that are considered high risk. Over 80% of infected persons will have mild to no symptoms; however, you are still considered extremely contagious. You can schedule a Telehealth appointment with one of our providers for further guidance and treatment.

Q. I have read that medications that I have been taking are putting me at higher risk. What should I do?

A. While there are some reports that certain medications may increase the risk of complications related to coronavirus, there is no universal recommendation to stop any current medication. RVFM does not advise stopping any medication without consulting a provider first. If you have questions about a certain medication that you are taking, please schedule a Telehealth appointment.

Q. Can I get more information on Plasma Donation?

We have received questions from our community regarding investigational convalescent plasma provision to some patients sick with COVID19. The plasma contains antibodies from a donor who contracted COVID-19, recovered and donated that plasma to a blood donor center. Here is more information directly from UC Health:

Interested in donating COVID-19 convalescent plasma?