News: COVID-19 Dramatic Impact

It has been almost 6 months since our last reporting on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus continues to have a dramatic impact on every aspect of our lives.  It is exhausting and frustrating to consider how much has changed in how we gather, eat, shop, travel, and go to work.
 
Unfortunately, this update is out of necessity and not a declaration that the worst is behind us. 

  1. The number of cases of COVID - 19 is on the rise
  2. The severity of illness has remained mild-moderate
  3. Our local hospitals are just starting to see increases in the number of patients who are needing supportive care
  4. We anticipate that the severity of illness will continue to increase over the next couple of months

Therefore, we need to be prepared and re-commit to all the mitigation practices that we have been discussing since March. We are all exhausted.  Some of us are going through a financial crisis and others continue to grieve the loss of a loved one. Yet, we need to continue to do the following:

  1. Wear masks
  2. Wash hands
  3. Avoid close contact

 On the bright side…

  1. Treating COVID has improved and survival of patients with severe disease is much better 
  2. Testing is much more available
  3. Our patients have done a great job wearing masks and we can say that the disease severity within the practice has been low and we have even seen lower levels of colds and flu
  4. Better therapeutics and a vaccine are coming

We need to keep going in this direction.  Look for more information  from us regarding office procedures, advice on managing family contacts, testing, observing the holidays, and updates on the status of our local hospitals.  We will continue to keep you updated on all the relevant information as we move through this next phase of the pandemic.
 
Finally, please be sure to get an influenza vaccination (FLU SHOT).  It is very important this year to help keep the severity of influenza low and avoid hospitalizations from influenza.