COVID-19

When COVID-19 made its way to Florida last year, there were a lot of unknowns.

The symptoms changed often in the early weeks and months after the virus arrived here in March 2020. It was unclear why some people were more susceptible to the virus than others. And there wouldn’t be a vaccine for another nine months.

So much uncertainty naturally led to frustration, concern and even fear for the doctors and nurses trying to navigate those uneasy waters, including the staff at GuideWell Emergency Doctors. It tested them personally and professionally. But it also brought them closer together as a team. One where they leaned on and looked out for each other more than ever.

Those feelings don’t disappear when the worst of the crisis has faded. (The number of new daily cases in Florida has dropped from about 18,000 to 3,000.) They’re still here today, part of the fabric of a team that weathered the worst of a storm and came out stronger.

GuideWell helped launch the contest that asked global innovators to develop effective, radically affordable COVID-19 testing amid the pandemic

XPRIZE, the world’s leader in designing and operating incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges, is pleased to announce today the five winning teams in the $6M XPRIZE Rapid Covid Testing competition, with each winner creating high-quality, affordable COVID-19 testing to help society safely reopen and return to everyday activities.

GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation (GuideWell), the parent to a family of forward-thinking companies focused on transforming health care was a founding partner of this challenge. GuideWell, in collaboration with XPRIZE, OpenCovidScreen, as well as other innovative organizations announced the competition in July to encourage the world’s most innovative individuals and organizations to develop new testing methods.

This year has brought many challenges to our industry. But for GuideWell, 2020 is so much more than a story of tribulations. It’s a story of how we’ve overcome adversity in powerful and meaningful ways.

You may recall last December, we highlighted our enterprise’s 10 big wins for 2019. I find it only fitting to carry on this tradition this year by highlighting how we’re staying true to our mission through an unprecedented year.

This is what reimagining the future of health care looks like. And through efforts like these, we will continue driving health care costs down and increasing access for more individuals and families.

In no particular order, here are 10 accomplishments through adversity from 2020:

As our country continues taking slow steps towards reopening our economy, it's important to begin easing your way back into your health care routines.

COVID-19 caused many of us to hesitate booking doctor's appointments, and most elective procedures were canceled all together.

Now more than ever, it's important to keep up with your children's checkups and your own annual physicals. Tele-health options are available for much of this care. Medical offices, clinics and other health facilities have made significant strides in ensuring their locations are safe and clean. And you're providing yourself added protection by wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping appropriate distance from others.

Innovation continues to be an increasingly important tool as we work to reimagine how care can and should be delivered. For us, being able to provide access to high quality, affordable health care is our top priority. We can’t do this without outside-the-box thinking and a creative approach.

It has become especially apparent how critical innovation is as the world fights back against COVID-19. Researchers, scientists and innovators across the globe are working to develop a vaccine for the virus. While that happens, we are relying on accurate and accessible testing. Currently, most of the COVID-19 tests are slow, expensive and – if you’ve had to take one – they can be pretty invasive.

GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation (GuideWell), the parent to a family of forward-thinking companies focused on transforming health care, in collaboration with XPRIZE, OpenCovidScreen, Anthem, Inc. and other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan partners, as well as other innovative organizations announced the $5 million XPRIZE Rapid Covid Testing competition to accelerate the development of high-quality COVID-19 testing that is low cost, easy to use, and quick-reporting, paving the way for more frequent testing.

The risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains low, despite more cases being confirmed throughout the country.

So, what does that mean for you and your family? It’s a good time to focus on taking precautions to help keep you all from getting the virus. Frequently washing your hands with soap and water and avoiding people who are sick are among the most important ways to avoid being infected.

Most of the people who contract COVID-19 recover in a matter of days, oftentimes at home, according to health officials. There have been nearly 90 cases in the United States and two deaths in Washington state since the outbreak began in mainland China in December. Worldwide, there have been about 90,000 cases and more than 3,000 deaths as of March 3. Click here for a map with the latest updates.

Here are answers to some questions you may have.