We are doing our best to minimize exposure to our patients and the community. All patients who are sick or have questions MUST CALL the office to be evaluated on the phone before scheduling an appointment. Please DO NOT WALK IN. We are also scheduling a higher volume of Virtual Visits during this time. Less urgent appointments and wellness visits may be postponed depending on the need to open appointments for sick patients. Please minimize the number of people that accompany you to the office. For example, children with appointments should only come with one parent or caregiver, and parents with appointments should not bring children with them.
Please do not panic. The prevailing opinion is that while community spread is inevitable, most cases will be mild; the majority of COVID-19 infections do not require hospitalization. However, the risk of more severe infection does increase with age and among those with weakened immune systems.
We want to share the following important information with you.
Call your doctor to see if you should be tested for COVID-19 if:
You have symptoms that include shortness of breath, fever, cough and have had close contact with a COVID-19 patient or a history of travel from an affected geographic area in the past 14 days (both internationally and in the US).
You do not have symptoms, but you were in close contact with someone who has tested positive. We will advise you to self-quarantine but stay in communication with us regarding any symptoms.
You are over 65, have serious chronic medical conditions or a compromised immune system, and experience symptoms of respiratory infection, even if mild.
If you are currently a member of our practice, please call the office for instructions – PLEASE DO NOT WALK IN for an appointment if you are sick or have been potentially exposed! This is for the protection of all of our patients. Private practices, including ours, ARE NOT equipped to provide swab testing at this time.
Please note that not all people will or should be tested, as tests will be reserved for those deemed to be most at risk for having contracted the virus.
Updated recommendations include:
Practice social distancing: Avoid activities where you have a lot of exposure to the general public. Pregnant women, elderly individuals and those with underlying health conditions who are at most risk for developing serious effects from the virus should stay away from mass gatherings.
Senior travel advisory: High-risk seniors – individuals over age 60 who have chronic lung, heart or kidney conditions, those with diabetes, those using chronic immunosuppressants or on chemotherapy – should avoid travel and stay home whenever possible.
Prepare yourself: Have groceries, household items, over-the-counter medicines and supplies like tissues on hand so you will be able to stay at home for a period of time if needed. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home. Although we should prepare to isolate for 14 days, stockpiling supplies is not recommended as it takes away from those in need of supplies and can’t travel.
Treatment: Treatment consists of isolation and supportive care to relieve symptoms. There are currently no antiviral medications that have been proven to be effective.
Prevention: There is no vaccine yet available for COVID-19, so the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Most essential is to stay healthy by getting your flu shot if you haven’t already done so, and take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, including:
Stay home when sick.If you have a fever, mild cough or other mild symptoms of respiratory infection, self-quarantine in your home, and use over-the-counter medications to treat.
Wash hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Please do not purchase facemasks to protect yourself. Facemasks are in short supply now, and should be used only by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 and by health workers and others who are caring for COVID-19 patients.
For regular updates on the status of our office, please continue to check our website. You can read more about COVID-19 at trusted sites including CDC CDC COVID and Virginia Department of Health VA Dept Health COVID
Let’s continue to be vigilant and look out for one another. We will get through this together.
