03/13/2020
Due to recent events regarding the COVID19 Virus, we are advising any patients that are sick to call our office before coming in. The CDC, Delaware Public Health Department, and WHO are recommending anyone with symptoms (cough or fever) to stay home. If you have severe shortness of breath, problems breathing, or severe cough please go to the ER. Otherwise please remain at home and stay well rested.
COVID19 TESTING:
At this time the local hospitals and local laboratories are not collecting specimens for COVID19. Therefore we can not give you an order to take to the lab for COVID19 testing. Specimens are collected by obtaining a nasal swab. At this time we do not have the testing kits at our office. Since testing kits are limited we have been advised by the Delaware Public Health Department, that once we have the kits available we should be testing only patients with severe symptoms.
COVID19 FACTS:
80 percent of people who become infected with COVID19 have mild symptoms. Only 20 percent of people infected will have severe symptoms. People aged 80 and older are at higher risk for severe COVID19 symptoms. People with auto-immune disease or compromised immune systems are also at higher risk for severe symptoms.
FLU / ALLERGIES:
Some symptoms may be related to other aliments other than the COVID19 virus. Cases of the FLU have been confirmed in Sussex county. FLU symptoms can be similar to COVID19 symptoms. Also allergy season is in affect. Some allergy symptoms can cause similar symptoms to COVID19, such as cough from postnasal drip.
BEST PRACTICES:
Wash hands often and thoroughly. Don't take your face, eyes, mouth, or nose. Please stay at home if you are sick so that you may recover quickly and without further complication. If you are sick please keep away from elders or people who are immune compromised.
For More Information:
Contact Delaware Public Health Department is 1-888-295-5156
