The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID‐19) is a rapidly evolving situation and here at 501 Pharmacy – your independent pharmacy at Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill – we understand that getting access to medical care and prescriptions can be challenging when you are doing your best to stay home and do your part to contain the spread. We’re proud to be working with IndyCare to provide solutions for our community to ensure access to care during this time, keeping our trusted, reliable services at your fingertips during this unprecedented time of need. We will continually provide updates on our social media pages and we invite you to remotely access our COVID-19 services at 501rx.indycarehealth.com.
Here is what we are doing right now to make this easier for everyone…
Video-Enabled Visits
IndyCare provides telemedicine video visits for our clients that are available seven days a week. Each medical provider can evaluate you and prescribe medications that 501 Pharmacy can deliver to you or you can pick up conveniently via our drive-through services. These video visits are covered by all insurance plans and Medicare. All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and an internet connection.
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Special “Drug Bug” Delivery
If you are in need of prescriptions or over-the-counter medications prescribed during your telemedicine visit, we’ll deliver your medicines free-of-charge within Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. In most cases, we can deliver the medications to you on the same day.
Flu Tests Now Available via Delivery
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, your IndyCare medical provider can prescribe a rapid flu test which we will dispense and deliver to you. We will provide instructions on performing the test yourself. If you are concerned about possible Coronavirus infection, a flu test is required first in order to be eligible for COVID-19 testing.
What About COVID-19 Testing?
If you are concerned that you may be infected with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), via our IndyCare provider you have access to a simple text message screening tool that will help guide where you should go for care. Just text “CORONA” to 833-574-0906 and follow the prompts to begin screening.
Additional Frequent Questions About COVID-19 – Provided by IndyCare
How can you protect yourself or others from COVID‐19?
Although there are currently no vaccines available to protect against human coronavirus infection, you may be able to reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands often; avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. If you have cold-like symptoms, as a courtesy to your co-workers and others, please remain at home while you are sick. If you share a workstation or equipment with others, consider wiping it down with disinfectant wipes after use. For information about hand washing, see the CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives website.
What should you do if you suspect you or someone else has contracted COVID‐19?
Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own. Although there are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses, you can take the following actions to help relieve symptoms if you are mildly sick:
- Take pain and fever medications. Ask your pharmacist how they may interact with any medications you currently take. Caution: The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend not giving aspirin to children.
- Use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Stay home and rest.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, please call your local health care provider. Telemedicine is a good first line of defense in order to limit potential exposure in a waiting room. You can book a Video Visit with IndyCare online at https://www.501rx.indycarehealth.com/.
Who should be tested for COVID‐19?
The CDC recommends that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, returning from a Centers for Disease Control designated Level 2 or Level 3 advisory area, or who has been in contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed of having the coronavirus within the last 14 days should be tested.
How can I access COVID-19 testing?
Patients who have concerns that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or may have symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider. Testing for outpatients is currently very limited and will require an evaluation and referral from a healthcare provider. IndyCare can evaluate you and determine if you qualify for testing and then refer you to local testing options. Please note that you will not be able to get tested for COVID-19 without first going through the required screening to rule out other causes of your symptoms. Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.
For More Information…
You can find more information on COVID-19 at these links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
