If You are Experiencing Symptoms ...   
Including fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19: 

1. Stay at home and 
2. Call your primary care provider or the Health and Wellness Centers (Chico 530-879-7582 or Oroville 530-532-5918).   If your care provider tells you that you don't need to come in, isolate at home and continue to monitor your condition.
3. If your symptoms worsen, call your primary care provider or the Health and Wellness Centers with an update on your condition.
4. Call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency room if you are experiencing these emergency warning signs*:
   • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
   • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
   • New confusion or inability to arouse
   • Bluish lips or face
   • Severe weakness

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
 
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
 
After a telephone consultation, you may be directed for testing.  Testing through a network lab, such as Quest or LabCorp, will be covered at no cost on all BSSP plans.  

While there is no cure for COVID-19, your provider can provide supportive care to ease your symptoms during recovery.  

Anthem EAP

Resources through SISC Medical Plans

Heatlh and Wellness Center Updates

Your Health and Wellness Centers are open to serve you.  

CDC Resources

The CDC has many resources available to help you with COVID questions.  

What to do if you are sick

The CDC provides many resources, including a symptom check tool.  

How to protect yourself

The CDC provides many recommendations for protecting yourself and family from COVID 19. 

bssp+sisc medical plan resources

Your BSSP+SISC medical plans provide many additional resources  during the COVID pandemic.

Coping with anxiety and stress during covid

This flyer has a number of helpful suggestions for coping with anxiety and stress during the COVID pandemic.  

Additionally, all employees, retirees and household members may access the Anthem EAP program for 6 mental health visits per person, per incident, per calendar year by calling (800) 999-7222 (program name: SISC).  Click here for more information on the EAP program.  

Reducing stress 

All the talk around COVID-19 may have you feeling anxious or stressed.  We understand.  We’re all in this together.  And we want to check in with how you’re feeling.

Symptoms of anxiety include:

• Intense worry
• Fatigue
• Panic
• Obsession
• Nightmares
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Sleep problems
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Sweating

If you’re feeling anxious, try these steps to help you get through it:

1. Take control of the situation. There are steps you can take to limit your risks of getting COVID-19. Wash your hands often. Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth. And disinfect your home and work area regularly. For more suggestions, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites.
2. Take care of yourself. Eat nutritious food, exercise, limit alcohol consumption and make sleep a priority. Stay connected with family and friends online or by phone so you’re not lonely.
3. Stay informed by learning the facts. Be sure to get your information from credible sources, such as the CDC and the WHO.
4. Think about the impact you have on others. Take preventive measures seriously. Talking with family and friends about the positive steps you’re taking to stay safe will encourage them to do the same.
5. Limit your media exposure to COVID-19 news. Today’s news cycle is 24/7, and the exposure can add to the stress. Unplug and give yourself some down time

MASK etiquette

This flyer provides good suggestions for mask etiquette.  

managing anxiety when returning to work

COVID-19 has challenged many people's security and sense of control.  Returning to work represents a return to normal, but it may not be without its own causes for anxiety.  Finding a balance between your personal wellbeing and work environment and responsibilities is important.  So, before and after your return to work, you should address any reservations related to COVID-19 that may affect your work duties. 

• Continue to follow the recommended measures to prevent spreading the virus. Take care of yourself and others by taking the necessary actions at work (washing your hands often, staying home if you're sick, and maintaining social distancing), as well as in your daily interactions. If the kind of work you do needs additional precautions, discuss necessary changes, and follow the instructions from your manager.
• Don't be afraid to propose additional suggestions. If you find yourself coming up with more ideas outside of the recommended safety measures, bring those up to your manager. This is a time where everyone must adapt to a new way of doing things—at work and home. By becoming more involved, this can provide a refocus of your thoughts and put you in a more optimistic place during this transition. So, go ahead and suggest your ideas. These could be beneficial to your workplace and create an easier transition for the rest of your team.
• Keep communication open with your manager. Do you have children or an elderly family member at home? Or, do you have health conditions that put you at greater risk for COVID-19 infection, disrupted child care arrangements, or other concerns? Be honest with your manager if you need certain arrangements (working from home for longer or working in a solitary space away from other staff members). Even if your manager cannot accommodate your needs exactly, most will do what they can. When you create an open line of communication, you can keep your supervisor informed on your day-to-day, as well as alleviate any apprehensions you may have about your work situation.
• Be patient with yourself and your coworkers. In the aftermath of a stressful or disruptive event, it is natural to move at a slower pace while you recover and adjust to new circumstances. If you have concerns that are keeping you from focusing on your work (anxiety about working in a shared space with other staff or fear over the spread of the virus), share these thoughts with your manager. They may be able to offer guidance or options for you.
• Keep in mind that returning to work from COVID-19 puts everyone in circumstances that are just a little new and different. Give yourself a little time to return to your former focus and full productivity. Be patient and trust that your team will find its old rhythm.
• Take care of your mental health. Anxiety and fear are normal when you come back to work after a stressful event. If you realize that you are not able to manage these feelings, ask for help.

All employees, retirees and household members may access the Anthem EAP program for 6 mental health visits per person, per incident, per calendar year by calling (800) 999-7222 (program name: SISC).  Click here for more information on the EAP program.