The novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is at the forefront of public health discussions and on the front page of every newspaper. It is a serious illness and while there have been no confirmed cases in the Washington, D.C. area as of March 1st and the immediate risk to the general American public remains low at this time, our office has developed practice guidelines, based on the CDC’s recommendations, to respond to our patients’ concerns. We will continue to provide the best medical care and information for you and your family. Please follow us on Facebook (Spring Valley Pediatrics, PLLC) and Instagram (@springvalleypediatrics) for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that causes fever, cough, and shortness of breath. COVID-19 spreads by respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, similar to influenza. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, on December 31, 2019, but has since spread to 47 countries, including the United States, as of March 1st. There have been no confirmed cases in the Washington, D.C. area as of March 1st. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO) in monitoring and making recommendations for containing the outbreak and management of suspected cases.
During an outbreak, preventing the spread of illness is of utmost importance. Thankfully there are simple steps you can take to help prevent the spread of germs, whether from the flu, pink eye, or COVID-19:
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Avoid touching eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick. The CDC recommends that individuals remain home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (i.e. chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance).
• Cover your cough with your elbow. Sneeze with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Take any antiviral medical prescribed to you as instructed.
How Spring Valley Pediatrics Will Care for Suspected Cases of COVID-19:
Our physicians and staff at Spring Valley Pediatrics are prepared to provide guidance to any of our patients who are concerned about exposure to COVID-19. We have a specific office protocol for evaluating and managing these patients and families.
If anyone in your family has recently traveled to China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Italy, or Iran, or your child has been directly exposed to anyone with COVID-19, and your child has fever, cough and shortness of breath, please call our office immediately and speak with a physician before scheduling an appointment. Our front desk, upon hearing your concern for exposure to COVID-19, will directly connect you with a physician or nurse. If your child is experiencing difficulty breathing, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
We will continue to monitor the CDC’s recommendations and update our patients on our website. You may read more about the CDC’s response to COVID-19 here.
