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Health Care Center Update March 16th 2020

SUBJECT: Coronavirus/COVID-19: Updates from Martin’s Point

Helping You Stay Informed and Healthy

As your partner in health, we want to help our Martin’s Point patients stay informed as the COVID-19 situation develops over the next weeks and month.  Through these update emails we will share simple, practical, and up-to-date advice about COVID-19 that will help keep you and your family well. We will all need to remain flexible and stay informed so that we can respond effectively to keep our community strong and healthy.

THINGS TO DO

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COVID-19 TESTING: The availability of COVID-19 testing kits and testing facilities are still in short supply. At Martin’s Point, we are currently only testing when it is completely necessary.

PLEASE CALL YOUR DOCTOR/HEALTH CARE CENTER FIRST!

We will need to plan ahead if you need a visit with your doctor:

  • If you feel ill with a cough and/or fever, we recommend that you stay home and CALL your doctor’s office for advice.
  • If you have reason to believe you may have COVID-19 and need to see a doctor, please CALL the health care center first for further instructions.
  • If you have an upcoming appointment for ANY reason and believe you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, CALL the office to speak to a member of the team BEFORE you come in for your appointment. This will allow us to protect you and others from the potential spread of disease.

THINGS TO KNOW

  • COVID-19 is a viral illness that is spread person to person, just like the cold or flu virus.
  • The virus is spread from the nose, eyes, and mouth or from hands that carry respiratory droplets.
  • Handwashing and social distancing can help you avoid catching the virus.
  • With COVID-19, older adults (over the age of 60) or those with chronic illness are most at risk if they catch the illness. If you are older than 60 or you have chronic illness, try to avoid contact with anyone who may be sick with or has been exposed to COVID-19.
  • While healthy young adults and children may become infected with COVID-19, they are the least likely to become seriously ill. However, even mildly ill younger adults and children with COVID-19 symptoms need to avoid other people so that they do not cause potential spread of infection.
  • Pregnant women: To date, there has been no evidence of any harm to the fetus if a pregnant woman gets COVID-19. Based on limited case reports, while adverse infant outcomes (e.g., preterm birth) have been reported for women with COVID-19 during pregnancy, they are no higher than expected.
  • Breastfeeding women: In limited cases reported to date, no evidence of virus has been found in the breast milk of women with COVID-19. Based on this, we suggest that breastfeeding continue. If you are coughing, wear a mask.

Thank you for understanding these simple facts and taking practical measures to help prevent the spread of this coronavirus in our community.

At times like these it is challenging to see the forest through the trees. We will provide you with helpful guidance along the way.

Jonathan Harvey, Chief Medical Officer

Martin’s Point Health Care