With growing concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) globally and cases reported in Florida, you may be unsure about what that means and what you should do.
Most relevant and up to date site locally is: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19.
Anyone who has traveled to or from the following areas or been in close contact with someone who has traveled and is having symptoms should get checked. The Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Alerts as of 2/27/20 were:
- China
- Iran
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
Here’s what you need to know
All patients need to be evaluated prior to referral to Emergency Room or Department of Health due to limited ability to test all persons with concerns.
We also want to ensure that you are not unnecessarily exposed to open areas with large sick populations of to prevent undo exposures and spread of virus.
We ask the following of patients needing care:
- That if you have traveled to or from any of the above listed countries and you currently have cough, fever and or shortness of breath that you contact us by phone prior to arrival in our clinic so that we can take the necessary precautions.
- If you have been in close contact with a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patient (living with, caring for or visiting with or having direct contact with secretions from a known positive confirmed case), AND if you have symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call our clinic prior to arrival.
- If you do not meet either of the above conditions, please feel free to make appointment or walk in for medical care as needed.
- If you are having any shortness of breath/difficulty with breathing notify our staff immediately.
Things that you should be doing to protect yourself.
- Frequent hand washing with warm soapy water or minimum of 60% alcohol hand sanitizer most especially before eating and after bathroom use and frequently during the day.
- keep your hands away from your face
- wear sunglasses/protective eye wear when in public places where you can come in contact with people that are coughing and sneezing
- disinfecting wipes clean work and food surfaces, door knobs, bathroom handles often
- Contain coughs/sneezing into arm and elbow area not into hands
- Launder sweaters and shirts after each use.
- immediately dispose of contaminated secretions
- add small amounts of bleach to laundry, dishwasher and hand washed dishes, rinse all well
- stay away from large gatherings
- If you are sick stay home, treat your symptoms and seek medical care as needed
- Do not go to work or send sick children to school, stay home.
For more information, visit the Florida Health website or call us at
