COVID-19

I’m sure you are hearing a lot in the news about COVID-19. Coronavirus is a known viral infection, but a new serotype which is called COVID-19 has caused multiple outbreaks in different countries. This is a novel virus and medical community is still learning about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. We are going to share our knowledge with you, but please consult and follow any new update or recommendation from CDC or Department of Health which supersedes this information.

COVID-19 is in a family of viruses similar to the common cold and therefore it is believed to spread – like other respiratory illness – through coughs or sneezes, or by touching an infected surface or object and then touching your own mouth, nose or eyes.

The CDC maintains a list of countries in which there is a high-risk of COVID-19 exposure in the community. The list currently includes China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan, though the list is expanding rapidly. The most updated list can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

At Pediatrics West, we take the safety of our patients and our employees very seriously. Therefore, we are taking the following precautions to reduce the risk of spreading illness:

  • If you have recently traveled to any country on the CDC’s high-risk list for COVID-19 exposure, please do not visit our offices without first calling us for medical advice. Current CDC guidelines are for travelers to these countries to stay home (“self-quarantine”) for 14 days. The guidelines apply even to returning travelers who have no cold symptoms. If you have an appointment at Pediatrics West for a physical or a routine matter please call our office and we will reschedule your appointment. If you have respiratory symptoms or are concerned about your travel history, please call so we may assist you.
  • If you have not recently traveled to one of the countries on the CDC travel list and you have active respiratory symptoms, please call our office to speak with a nurse. Influenza, Upper Respiratory Tract infections, and non-COVID-19 infections are very common this time of year and are treated differently from COVID-19. When appropriate, we will provide medical guidance or treatment over the phone. If you are asked to come into our office, you will be given a mask to wear during your visit. If you are having severe respiratory symptoms, you may be directed to visit the nearest Emergency Room for evaluation and management.
  • At this point in time we are NOT accepting walk-in visits to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
  • Testing for COVID-19 is not being done in our facility at this time.

We greatly appreciate your assistance and understanding as we learn more about the Coronavirus. A great source of information on this evolving situation is https://www.cdc.gov/

For Frequently asked questions, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

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