Read a message from Providence clinical leaders, both in Oregon and at the system level, about the importance of staying home and celebrating Thanksgiving with members of your household. Governors from Oregon, Washington and California have all issued travel advisories, and Providence urges you to adhere to the advisories to keep yourself, your family, your patients and your coworkers safe.
Below you will see a message from Providence system chief clinical officer, Amy Compton-Phillips, M.D. She talks about difficult choices specific to COVID over the holidays related to travel outside of Oregon.
- We are asking you to please adhere to the travel guidelines.
- If you travel, then upon your return and before your next scheduled shift, we need you to self-monitor for any symptoms.
- If you have symptoms – CALL THE COVID-19 CALL CENTER AND DO NOT REPORT TO WORK.
- If you do not have symptoms, please return to work and strictly follow the PPE guidelines specific to your role.
As Dr. Compton-Phillips notes, this is a year to be together – apart. We must hold ourselves accountable to stopping the spread of COVID-19. To give you perspective on the impact COVID can have on health care employees – Mayo Clinic has had 900 employees test positive in the last 2 weeks. All but a handful were community-acquired cases.
Thank you for your time and attention to this. We wish you a joyful Thanksgiving, albeit one that may not be “normal.”
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COVID-19 Call Center
949-534-4450
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All other concerns, call 503-216-3200.
COVID-19 advisory for non-essential travel during the holidays
A message from Amy Compton-Phillips, M.D., chief clinical officer
In a challenging year when many of us are looking to the holiday season to provide some level of normalcy, COVID-19 is making our ability to be connected to others much more difficult. Because this virus does not take holidays, we must make difficult choices to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our patients.
Usually I spend Thanksgiving with my large, boisterous extended family in Missouri. In our house this year, we’ll be roasting a turkey the size of a chicken and connecting with relatives by Zoom. Together apart — but doing our part to keep each other healthy.
Due to the increased volume of COVID-19 cases in our communities, the governors of California, Oregon and Washington have each issued travel advisories in an attempt to help slow the spread of the virus. We are all encouraged to stay home and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries.
These travel advisories are an important reminder for us to remain vigilant as we head into the holidays. It is more important than ever that we protect ourselves so we can care for those who need us—which includes our families, our patients and one another.
Please be mindful of what you can do to keep the virus from spreading further in our community:
- Enjoy the holidays with members of your immediate household and get the rest you need.
- Consider options to celebrate virtually (traveling during this time can increase your risk of getting and/or spreading COVID-19).
- Please avoid unnecessary travel during the holidays and social activity with those outside your immediate household.
- Continue practicing physical distancing, wear a mask in public and wash your hands frequently.
Travel can increase the risk of virus transmission and bringing the virus back home. If you must travel at this time, please take special precautions. And, while at work, please ensure you are following our required face mask, eye protection and physical distancing guidelines.
Even though the holidays will look different this year, I hope you and your family have a safe and restful Thanksgiving holiday.
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