COVID Update, March 20, 2020
Coronavirus Update, 3/20/20
We are seeing our local numbers of confirmed cases climb quickly, which was expected, and they will continue to do so for the next couple of weeks, in my opinion. With that in mind, I thought I would share my thoughts on a couple of common topics: Testing and Self-quarantine.
Testing:
1. Tests are still in limited supply, but access is improving, as is turnaround (I had a 12 hour turnaround on one yesterday)
2. There are basically 3 places you can get testing - Primary Care offices (for non-emergent cases, of current patients, who merit testing); Urgent Care Centers (for more serious symptoms, patients without access through PCPs); and Emergency Rooms (for severe symptoms, patients needing or possibly needing admission to the hospital).
***Please note that going to the ER or an Urgent Care does not guarantee testing, and should only be for those with the most serious of symptoms. If you have symptoms, your first step should be to contact your PCP, or use telemedicine, to determine if testing is warranted. DO NOT just walk in to PCP, Urgent Care or ER for testing. If you do, you will likely leave disappointed.***
3. Testing is like a combination of strep and flu testing - a throat swab and an nasal swab- and should be done by someone with good protective gear.
4. Lack of access to proper protective gear for health care workers is a significant issue in the availability of testing.
Self-Quarantine:
1. This is different for social distancing. If you are told to self-quarantine, you should avoid contact with household members, wear a mask any time around others, and avoid going out in public, if possible.
2. While on self-quarantine, you should be monitoring for fever, and reporting any worsening symptoms to your doctor for further advice.
3. You should self-quarantine if you have been in direct contact with anyone with known COVID, even if you don't have symptoms. You should plan to isolate for 14 days, even if no symptoms develop.
4. You should also self-quarantine if you develop cough, fever or shortness of breath. You should contact your doctor at this time. You will need to remain isolated for at least 7 days, and you will need to be fever free for 72 hours, and show symptom improvement before returning to normal activity.
5. If you test positive for COVID, you should self-quarantine and monitor for worsening symptoms. You will also need to remain isolated for at least 7 days, and you will need to be fever free for 72 hours, and show symptom improvement before returning to normal activity.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if you have any questions. And, as I mentioned before, STAY HOME