(This is necessary because of the flu season and the similarity of some symptoms.)
If you do not get a response in two hours, call 0861 083 084, and tell them that you have COVID-19 symptoms.
How we will respond
The nursing team will respond immediately. They will check your questionnaire, clarify symptoms, and consult the doctor for further instructions.
Your details will be added to our COVID-19 register to ensure that other services that qualify are authorised.
We will follow up with you telephonically twice a week.
4. YOU TESTED POSITIVE AND RECOVERED – WHAT NOW?
ONCE YOU HAVE RECOVERED:
PRECAUTIONS. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Maintain at least 1.5-meter distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands.
LIFESTYLE. Avoid excessive drinking, and smoking, get enough sleep and maintain a routine.
EAT HEALTHY FOODS containing vitamins to boost your immune system and help fight infections:
Vitamin A is present in Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, pumpkin, cantaloupe.
B vitamins are present in Animal products (meat, fish, dairy, eggs), and leafy greens.
Vitamin C is present in Citrus, strawberries, kiwis, red peppers, broccoli.
Vitamin D is present in Sunlight, oily fish (salmon, sardines), meat, chicken, eggs, fortified cereals, margarine, beans, broccoli, and mushrooms.
Vitamin E is present in Nuts and oils from the likes of soybean, corn, canola and sunflower.
EXERCISE. Exercise only from one week after your symptoms have cleared up. Thereafter, gradually reintroduce exercise, e.g. walking for 10 minutes a day for 7 days, then 20 minutes a day for 7 days, then 30 minutes a day.
SUNLIGHT. Ensure that you are in the sun at least 10 minutes a day but avoid sunburn.
MONITOR YOUR TEMPERATURE. Scan your temperature once a day.
RE-INFECTION
If you develop fever or other COVID-19 symptoms, contact us immediately.
If you develop breathlessness or very fast heart rate, contact us immediately or go to your nearest emergency facility. Call them in advance to advise them of your symptoms. They will tell you what you need to do on arrival.
5. WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE SELF-ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
Self-isolation is keeping to yourself for 10-days after you have been in contact with COVID-19 positive person.
You may, for instance, go for a walk in the countryside where there is no-one else, and you must avoid contact with relatives, friends, and colleagues. You must stay in isolation for 10 days if you have been in contact. You must also avoid public places and public transport.
Quarantine is remaining at home away from other people if you have tested positive for COVID-19.
You should stay at home for 2 weeks plus the resolution of the main symptoms (fever and shortness of breath). Loss of smell and taste can take a lot longer to go away, so if these are improving but not gone, yet main symptoms have gone, it is okay to go out of quarantine.
6. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS BUT CANNOT GET TESTED?
What to do
Stay at home for 14 days.
DO NOT go to work.
DO NOT use public transport.
DO NOT go to public spaces.
DO NOT go shopping.
DO NOT visit anyone.
DO stay calm.
DO ensure you have family members on hand who can help you get shopping and things you may need.
DO keep connected to people you care about by phone and video calls.
7. IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
Never enter any medical facility, pharmacy, or doctor’s rooms if you suspect that you contracted COVID-19. Phone them, inform them of your symptoms and follow their instructions.
Having had contact with a person that may have contacted covid-19 or that tested positive is not a medical emergency.
It is essential that you follow strict isolation instructions.
The Scheme will pay for the test even if the result is negative when you have been referred by a medical practitioner.
If your doctor has a COVID-19 specific request, ask them to call us on 0861 083 084, mention that it relates to COVID-19 and speak to one of our senior nursing practitioners.
If your employer asks you to go for a test, then your employer must pay the cost of the test.
All Scheme rules apply, e.g. pre-authorisation, update every 24 hours, etc.
WHAT IS A CLOSE CONTACT?
Close contact of a probable or confirmed case is defined as:
A person living in the same household as a COVID-19 case.
A person having had direct physical contact with a COVID-19 case (e.g. shaking hands)
A person having unprotected direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g. being coughed on, touching used paper tissues with a bare hand)
A person having had face-to-face contact with a COVID-19 case within 2 metres and for longer than 15 minutes.
A person who was in a closed environment (e.g. classroom, meeting room, hospital waiting room, car etc.) with a COVID-19 case for 15 minutes or more and within two metres.
A person providing direct care for a COVID-19 case, or laboratory workers handling specimens from a COVID-19 case without recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) or with a possible breach of PPE.
A contact on public transport such as a bus, sitting within two seats (in any direction) of the COVID-19 case, travel companions or persons providing care, and crew members.
ARE YOU AS AN UMVUZO MEMBER FEELING ILL OR HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HAVING CONTRACTED COVID-19?
Do our online assessment and, subject to your risk rating, a clinical consultant may contact you and guide you further.
COVID-19 VACCINE IS REGARDED AS A PMB CONDITION.
This means WHEN the vaccine becomes available
it will be paid at cost, for the beneficiaries of the Scheme.
Only the South African government can source the vaccine,
and as such we will support the government’s roll out plan.
UMVUZO HEALTH COVID-19 BENEFIT GUIDELINE
Here you will find all relevant and new information for your safety on Covid-19.