COVID-19 has arrived in Wayne County.  This is a serious infection, and should not be taken lightly.

 

• Hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds is the best way to protect yourself.
• Avoid touching your face.  We give ourselves most of the infections that we contract, by touching an infected surface and then touching our own faces.
• Avoid large gatherings.
• Limit your contact with everyone and practice “social distancing”, which means keeping yourself about 6 feet away from another person.

 

If you have contact with a known COVID-19 patient, practice strict self-isolation and seek help should you develop the symptoms of the infection: fever and dry cough and shortness of breath.  If you develop these symptoms, immediately contact the hospital and find out where you should go to be tested for the virus.  Unless you are having significant respiratory distress, do not just go to the ED.  Call first.  This is for the safety of other patients and health care professionals in the ED.

 

If you have a rheumatological disease, it is especially important to practice good hand washing and social distancing.  Continue to take your rheumatologic medicines, if you feel well and have no known sick contacts.  However, hold your medicines if you become exposed to a person with the virus or if you develop a fever or cough.

 

If you have any questions or are not sure what to do with your medicines, please call the office (984-207-9440) so that we can help you.

 

If you have an appointment with us but have a fever, please call us before arriving.  We will talk with you on the phone to decide how best to handle your appointment.  All fever is not COVID-19; but we must be careful for the safety of our other patients.  We appreciate your understanding.

 

This is a scary time, but acting together, we can keep each other well.