Covid-19 Testing:
If You Have Symptoms:
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Here is a list of symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please call the appointment line to speak to your primary care provider. If you are a service member, please follow your sick call procedures. If it is outside clinic hours, TRICARE beneficiaries can seek healthcare at any local urgent care clinic. If you feel your symptoms are life-threatening, please go to your nearest emergency room.
CALLING THE APPOINTMENT LINE:
TRICARE beneficiaries can call the appointment line at 915-742-2273, option 1, and request a telephone conference or virtual appointment with their primary care provider. A primary care provider will assess your symptoms and provide you with further guidance on testing procedures. There are no walk-in testing services at our outlying clinics.
Active duty service members must follow sick call procedures first before calling 915-742-2273.
While you wait for your appointment, in case you are positive, it is critical that you isolate yourself, so you don’t spread the virus. This includes isolating from your Family in your household. Please refrain from going to any appointments or pick up of any prescriptions until you receive your results. If you must go out, wear a mask and maintain six feet of social distance from others.
TRICARE beneficiaries can call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273) — Option 1, to be triaged over the phone. The Nurse Advice Line is available to all TRICARE beneficiaries in the U.S. except those enrolled in the US Family Health Plan.
URGENT CARE OPTIONS:
If you are an active duty Family member, retiree, or retiree Family member, you don’t need a referral to get care at any TRICARE authorized urgent care center or network provider. Active duty service members must call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE to receive a referral for urgent care options.
COVID-19 TEST RESULTS:
TRICARE beneficiaries can view their COVID-19 test results through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal at
https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil.
Another way to acquire test results is by calling the appointment line and requesting a T-CON (teleconference) with your primary care provider.
After you have been tested, it will take up to 72 hours for your results to be made available online or with your provider. AT NO TIME SHOULD ANY PATIENT PHYSICALLY GO TO ANY CLINIC OR THE HOSPITAL IN PERSON TO ACQUIRE TEST RESULTS.
If you are having issues with access to MHS GENESIS Patient Portal, please call 1-800-600-9332 to receive assistance. Many patients may be logging in for the first time and may have to create a new account. MHS GENESIS is connected to your DEERs account, and you can call 1-800-368-3665 to verify your account information and accuracy.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE POSITIVE:
If your test results revealed that you are positive, continue to stay home to isolate and quarantine. Follow the instructions given by your provider, and also from a contact tracer who may investigate your case.
Active duty members and DOD personnel must follow the directions from their chain of command.
Non-active duty beneficiaries can follow the CDC guidance found on this page:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE TO GO TO THE ER:
Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If you or someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately by calling 911 and going to your nearest emergency room:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
Any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you that may indicate a medical emergency.
Please note the WBAMC Emergency Department (ED) is not authorized to perform contact trace testing, recommend return to work, provide travel clearance, test asymptomatic persons, or perform any other form of non-emergent testing. All patients that present to the WBAMC ED will be triaged based on their symptoms and concerns. Patients with mild or moderate symptoms that could be due to COVID will generally be referred to their primary care teams or unit sick-call for COVID testing after evaluation. COVID-19 testing in the WBAMC ED is primarily for patients who need emergency medical attention that will require or may require hospitalization.