COVID-19 Information for High Risk Patients

We are here to help you prepare and protect you from the novel coronavirus illness that leads to the condition known as COVID-19.

COVID-19 spreads easily between people and most people have no immunity to this virus; therefore, it is important that you are aware of what you can do to protect yourself from catching this illness.

What do we know so far about COVID-19?

About 80% of symptomatic COVID-19 patients have cold/flu symptoms or pneumonia that does not require hospital care.

Additionally, about 20% of patients develop a more severe infection and pneumonia and some patients may die from complications of COVID-19.

Certain groups of patients are at increased risk of severe illness or death. These risk factors include age and if patients have certain health conditions:

Age > 65
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or history of a heart attack
High blood pressure that is not well controlled or at goal

Blood pressure should be < 140/90 for patients age 18-84 and <150/90 for patients age 85+ unless your physician has given you a different goal.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Asthma (especially with daily medications/symptoms)
Diabetes (especially if A1c > 8)
Active treatment for cancer
Taking medications that can weaken the immune system

Steps you can take to decrease your risk of COVID-19

Minimize your contact with other individuals. This is a practice known as "social distancing." Only leave your home when necessary and do not invite people to your home that do not live there. Try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others when not at home.

If you do need to leave your home, avoid groups of larger than 10 people. Practice social distancing when in a group setting.

Frequently wash or sanitize your hands. Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or cleaned using hand sanitizer whenever you touch a public surface such as door knobs, light switches or other surfaces.

Avoid touching your face. If you must touch your face, perform hand hygiene as above before and after.

Clean your phone, computer or other hard surfaces that you touch often at least once daily using a disinfectant wipe approved for use on that surface.

Avoid contact with other individuals who have symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose or fever.

Practice good etiquette by coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue. Clean hands after using a tissue and dispose of it promptly.

Avoid shaking hands or physically contacting others in a public setting.

Take all your routine scheduled medications and maintain good control over any chronic medical conditions.

If you smoke or vape, stop. Smoking and vaping appear to significantly increase your risk of illness or death from COVID-19.

If you or your employer have Return To Work (RTW) related questions or concerns regarding High Risk Population policy please contact Marshfield Clinic Health System Occupational HealthWORKS COVID-19 Response team at: occhltcr@marshfieldclinic.org

If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call our patient COVID-19 helpline at 1-877-998-0880

If you begin to feel ill and need medical advice or believe that you may need an appointment, please call Marshfield Clinic Health System's Nurseline at 1-844-342-6276. Our Nurseline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Looking for more information on COVID-19?

The situation is changing daily, and we regularly update our COVID-19 web page with information and resources you need to protect you and your family.

Click here