Dear Patients,

In order to prevent inadvertent spread of the coronavirus, we are going to defer all in-person appointments for non-urgent issues like checkups, routine follow up, etc. You should stay at home as much as possible also.

Urgent issues will be dealt with via telemedicine as much as possible (text, phone, video chat, portal messages). In person visits will be used only when necessary.

If you believe you may have contracted COVID-19 we have a new screening questionnaire specifically for that on the Spruce app. Do not panic. Most cases are very mild and do not require any testing or medical attention.

Diagnostic testing is still limited in our area to high risk patients, until kits become available for the general population.

We know you are being inundated via the media and email about the coronavirus outbreak. It can be challenging to sort out the facts from the hype and exaggeration, but there are everyday precautions you should take for the health of yourselves, your loved ones, and for the sake of the frail and/or elderly in your community, who would be hardest hit.

This is a good time to review routine germ precautions, to protect yourself from all infections, not just the COVID-19 virus. Also note that most acute infections are viral also, and therefore cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or face in general. COVID-19 and most other respiratory infections are usually caught by touching a contaminated finger to your own nose or mouth. You put the virus right where it needs to be to make you sick.
Wash your hands often, but especially before eating. Or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover your cough/sneeze fully with your sleeve or a cupped hand, directing your breath to the ground and away from people. Clean your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Do not share food or drinks.
If you are sick, stay home. Do not go to work, school, social gatherings or houses of worship until you feel better.

We at MMMed and PURE Primary Care wanted to let you know we are monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak closely, and adapting our recommendations to you with guidance from our local health departments and the CDC, as the situation evolves.

In the face of confusing online information, here are some reliable resources to review for prevention and what to do if you believe you have COVID-19.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

As always, we are here to care for you, so let us know if you have any questions.