COVID19 Frequently Asked Questions Updated July 7

LYSTER ARMY HEATLH CLINIC
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?

A. According to the CDC, anyone contracting a respiratory illness should not assume it
is novel coronavirus; it is far more likely to be a more common malady. However,
patients with COVID-19 symptoms should seek medical care.
Beneficiaries who believe they have symptoms caused by COVID-19 (fever greater than
100.4, cough, shortness of breath) are asked contact the Military Health System Nurse
Advice Line (NAL) at MHSNurseAdviceLine.com for a web or video chat, at 1-800- 874-
2273, option 1. Nurses will ask them questions about their medical symptoms and their
travel history to determine if they should be screened by hospital personnel for
consideration of testing. You can also call LAHC's Appointment Line 1-800- 261-7193
option 8 to speak with a nurse or use the TRICARE Online (TOL) Secure Messaging. If
you are enrolled to a TRICARE network provider, please call your doctor's office. For
general information about #COVID19, please visit https://www.tricare.mil/coronavirus
Q. What are the COVID-19 symptoms?

A. COVID-19 Symptoms may include:
 Fever or Chills
 Cough
 Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
 Fatigue
 Muscle or body aches
 Headache
 New loss of taste or smell
 Sore throat
 Congestion or runny nose
 Nausea or vomiting
 Diarrhea
Q. Has Sick call procedures changed?

A. Sick Call starts at 0600. Soldiers with upper respiratory complaints (cough and/or
congestion) will need to make an appointment. Appointment Line: MON-FRI 0700-1600,
call (800) 261-7193.
Q. Will the pharmacy remain open for refills on important medications?

A. Yes. Please utilize the RX Pick Up Drive Thru when returning to pick up medications.
Exception only for in clinic prescriptions.
 Pharmacy Hours (0730-1615) Mon-Fri
 RX Drive Thru Pick Up hours (0730-1615) Mon-Fri
 New/Renewed RX Drop-off Form hours (0730-1530) Mon-Fri
Definitions:
Refills = prescription refills called in by the PATIENT
New/Renewed prescriptions = prescriptions sent in by the PROVIDER
Q. How can we get meds refilled if over 60 and compromised?

A. The Drive Thru Pick Up pharmacy option should help eliminate concerns with social
distancing. Additional options are for beneficiaries to use Express Scripts Home
Delivery or visiting a TRICARE Network Pharmacy.
Q. Can someone else pick up my prescription?

A. Yes, they will need your ID card or a printed photocopy for pick up. Additional options
are for beneficiaries to use Express Scripts Home Delivery or visiting a TRICARE
Network Pharmacy.
Q. Are routine appointments cancelled?

A. Primary care appointments are booked for virtual/telehealth. Appointments will be
reviewed by nursing staff if patient needs to be present per provider's recommendation.
Face to face annual flight physicals will resume, as well as all SHPE physicals to
include separation and retirement physicals that are within 30 days of separation per
regulation.
Q. Is the Immunization Clinic open?

A. Routine AD readiness and allergy shots on walk-in basis; 2yrs and younger given at
well visit after appointment; all school age/college/dependent spouse requires
appointment.
Q. I’m Tricare Standard and seen off post, can I use Lyster?
A. Lyster services are only available to Active Duty and beneficiaries.
Q. Is Lyster carrying COVID-19 tests?

A. Yes
Q. Who is being tested for COVID19 at Fort Rucker?

A. We are testing those that meet CDC criteria.
Q. Will the drive thru testing at Lyster be available to anyone on base (i.e.
Girlfriends/Parents/Relatives)?
A. Lyster services are only available to Active Duty and beneficiaries.
Q. Will behavioral health be left open?

A. Yes. Initial/Acute appointments continue with face to face appointments. Routine
visits remain virtual. Group therapy virtually in FAP Clinic.
Q. Who is at risk for COVID-19?

A: Currently, those at greatest risk of infection are persons who have had prolonged,
unprotected close contact with a patient with symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 and
those who live in or have recently been to areas with sustained transmission.
Q. How does the virus spread?

A. Person-to-person spread is believed to occur mainly via respiratory droplets
produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza viruses
and other respiratory pathogens spread. It may also be acquired by touching a surface
or object that has the virus on it and then touching one’s own mouth, nose, or possibly
their eyes. The Army is prepared and continuing to take measures to ensure the health
of personnel and communities. Army medical personnel are prepared to help combat
potential widespread infection.
Q. How do you protect yourself and others?

A. There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against infection. To reduce
the risk of infection or transmitting the virus to others:
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
 Avoid close contact with people who are sick; and stay home while you are sick
Practicing proper hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of viruses. This includes
washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Also, avoid touching eyes, nose and
mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with those who are sick. Cleaning
and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces should also be done.
Q. What should I do if my family member is experiencing symptoms?

A. According to the CDC, anyone contracting a respiratory illness should not assume it
is novel coronavirus; it is far more likely to be a more common malady. However,
patients with COVID symptoms should seek medical care. Please call the clinic or
Nurse advice line to schedule an acute appointment.
Q. What is the treatment for the coronavirus?
A. There is no specific antiviral treatment for the coronavirus. People who think they
may have been exposed to the virus and are experiencing symptoms should contact
their health care provider immediately.
Q. Should I wear a facemask?

A. Lyster requires a face covering/mask to be worn at all times inside the clinic unless
instructed by your medical professional to remove during appointment.
Individuals on DoD property, installations, and facilities should wear cloth face coverings
when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public areas or work centers
(this does not include in a Service member's or Service family member's personal
residence on a military installation). Children under 2 should not wear a mask.
Q. Who can I call for medical assistance?

A. Patients calling for COVID-19 symptoms should call the Military Health System Nurse
Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE, option 1. That’s 1-800-874-2273, option 1. This line is
available 24/7. All other patient's should continue to call Lyster Army Health Clinic
appointment line at 1-800-261-7193 or use the TRICARE Online (TOL) Secure
Messaging. For all Emergencies – call 911.
Q. What is being done to limit exposure in the pharmacy on post?

A. LACH is following the latest national guidance in social distancing with limiting groups
to 10 people to stop the spread of the coronavirus, LAHC’s are following the social
distancing national guidance by converting pharmacy operations to Drop Off and Pick-
Up services only (unless seen same day in clinic). Additional options are for
beneficiaries to use Express Scripts Home Delivery or visiting a TRICARE Network
Pharmacy.
Q. Is everyone being screened when entering the clinic?

A. Yes. At this time, the clinic remains open and has implemented a brief health
screening for anyone entering the clinic. This system is based off guidance from the
CDC recommending that healthcare facilities screen patients and visitors for symptoms
of acute respiratory illness (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing) before entering a
healthcare facility.
Q. Are visitors allowed at the clinic?

A. In order to limit exposure for patients, staff and for the community, the clinic has
instructed patients to limit guests to only patients needing assistance or 1 parent of a
child with an appointment enter the clinic.
Q. What precautions should Soldiers take if they have high risk family members
at home?
A. If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should: ensure you
have adequate supplies: take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself
and others; when you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick; limit close
contact and wash your hands often, and avoid crowds. We recommend personnel refer
to Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with known
or Patients under Investigation for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Healthcare Setting.
This includes NOT sharing personal household items, cleaning all "high-touch"
surfaces, good respiratory hygiene (coughing into elbow or sleeve), and maintain a 6
feet distance from others. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-
control/control-recommendations.html
Q. What is the Army doing with respect to a medical response for COVID-19?
A. The Army is synchronizing support to the Department of Health and Human Services
and revalidating its pandemic and bed expansion plans. The Army is also conducting
CDC-certified testing. It is coordinating medical material and supplies, and assessing
the readiness of all active and reserve medical units. To support prevention, the Army is
educating the force on virus spread mitigation, the proper use of protective equipment,
and best hygiene practices. The Army has also launched a COVID-19 telephone hotline
for the force.
Q. How are Army lab personnel handling clinical specimens for the COVID-19
diagnostic testing?
A. Regional health commands are ensuring Army medical labs are coordinating with
state and local departments of health, the Defense Health Agency, U.S. Army Medical
Command and the CDC to ensure rapid collection and processing of potential COVID-
19 patient samples. Army medical lab personnel are familiar with the Emergency Use
Authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 diagnostic testing provided by the CDC and are
establishing appropriate processes for collection and testing of clinical specimens.
Q. What are Army medical facilities doing to assess a patient suspected of having
COVID-19?
A. The minimum requirement is a full-facility assessment to quickly detect, isolate and
hold or treat a patient with suspected COVID-19. The patient will be isolated
appropriately in a private room with a door and its own bathroom, if available. The
appropriate PPE will be available to staff consistent with CDC guidelines. Actions to
protect patients and staff include education and future contact tracing if required.
Q. What are Army medical facilities doing to see or report potential COVID-19
patients?
A. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention is the federal government's lead for the response to COVID-19. Army
medical facilities follow all CDC guidelines and will report to the appropriate county
health departments any potential COVID-19 patients. Army medical facilities continually
train and prepare to deal with emergent issues.
Additional resources: In cooperation with Governor Kay Ivey's Office, the Alabama
Department of Public Health has created these Stay at Home Frequently Asked
Questions for Individuals:
https://alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/assets/cov-stay-at-home-faq-ind.pdf
Spanish version:
https://alabamapublichealth.gov/legal/assets/soe-covid19-040320-sp.pdf
For Businesses:
https://alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/assets/cov-stay-at-home-faq-
bus.pdf
Additional resource links:

https://www.army.mil/coronavirus/
https://coronavirus.gov
https://cdc.gov/coronavirus
https://usa.gov/coronavirus

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COVID19 Frequently Asked Questions Updated July 7

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LYSTER ARMY HEATLH CLINIC

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?

Q. What are the COVID-19 symptoms?

Q. Has Sick call procedures changed?

Q. Will the pharmacy remain open for refills on important medications?

Q. How can we get meds refilled if over 60 and compromised?

Q. Can someone else pick up my prescription?

Q. Are routine appointments cancelled?

Q. Is the Immunization Clinic open?

Q. Is Lyster carrying COVID-19 tests?

Q. Who is being tested for COVID19 at Fort Rucker?

Q. Will behavioral health be left open?

Q. Who is at risk for COVID-19?

Q. How does the virus spread?

Q. How do you protect yourself and others?

Q. What should I do if my family member is experiencing symptoms?

Q. Should I wear a facemask?

Q. Who can I call for medical assistance?

Q. What is being done to limit exposure in the pharmacy on post?

Q. Is everyone being screened when entering the clinic?

Q. Are visitors allowed at the clinic?

Additional resource links:

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