MERCEDES – In the ongoing battle against COVID-19, local physicians and Knapp Medical Center are reminding the community to please continue to be vigilant in taking precautions, such as keeping six feet of distance between yourself and other people, staying home as much as possible, avoiding unnecessary travel and outings, wearing a mask or face covering when you are out, hand-washing for a full 20 seconds, and frequent cleaning of surfaces in the home and elsewhere.

Dr. Miguel Tello, Family Medicine Physician, says it’s important to follow potentially life-saving guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control as well as state, county and city orders to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The more that we are able to stay at home and limit our contact with other people, the sooner we will be able to limit the spread of the disease and limit deaths from the disease,” Dr. Tello said. 

Dr. Tello, who serves as Program Director for the UT Health RGV / Knapp Family Health Center in Mercedes, says if you must go out — such as to get food at the grocery store — to limit your time out of the home and limit your time in the store as much as possible.  

“Also limit the number of things you touch in the grocery store,” Dr. Tello said. “And as soon as get out of grocery store, use hand sanitizer if it’s available” (a hand sanitizer gel with at least 60% alcohol content). 

After you come back from the store or another outing, Dr. Tello suggests changing your clothes if possible and taking a shower. 

If you are going to order food to be delivered to your home, Dr. Tello recommends “contact-less delivery” where the delivery driver leaves the food at your door, if possible.

If you are ordering food for curb-side pickup at a restaurant, Dr. Tello suggests throwing away all bags or coverings used while transporting the food (in a trash can outside of your home).  Also, it is recommended to thoroughly wash your hands after handling any packages.

For more information on tips to stay safe during this time, please visit the following websites:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

www.hidalgocounty.us/coronavirusupdates

www.FaceBook.com/KnappMedicalCenter/