ER Medical, PC
864 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213 | P: 718-735-6002 | F: 718-735-6004 | E: [email protected]
Dear patients,
We understand that there is a lot of anxiety in the community related to the current outbreak of COVID-19. As of today, there are no confirmed cases in the community, but it is increasingly likely that we will soon have our own cases. As such, we would like our patients to be aware of the following information:
Sparse data suggests that COVID-19 is not a high-risk illness in children, and that children infected generally have a mild cold/cough/sore throat/diarrhea. They may however shed virus in secretions and stool for up to a month and thus remain infectious during that entire time.
COVID-19 is known to be dangerous to those with chronic illness and the elderly. Therefore, all efforts should be made to keep high risk people away from crowds and those who are ill. Children with cold symptoms should be kept away from the elderly and infirm.
Efforts should be made to avoid large gatherings. We recommend avoiding all unnecessary travel.
As always, practice proper hygiene, make sure children are washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water frequently, coughing in bent elbows, etc.
If you or your child are feeling at all unwell, PLEASE: stay home from shul, school, work, and mingling with others until you feel better.
If you have been advised by the DOH or your doctor to self-quarantine (this means stay home), please be strict in doing so! Quarantine is not a penalty to be ignored, it is protection for others.
Currently, there is no in-office test readily available for us to confirm or rule out coronavirus in our patients. The Department of Health determines who gets tested and have restricted testing to high risk patients only. Just today a commercial lab has come out with a test, but it will have a turnaround time of 2-4 days for results.
Because the symptoms and signs of the COVID-19 are very similar to many other viral illnesses, there is no way to distinguish this disease from others in the office setting, if tests for flu are negative.
There is also no specific treatment for COVID-19 at this time.
We recommend that children with mild illness, i.e., runny nose, cough, no or low-grade fever, stay home. Visiting the office for mild illness is not recommended.
Telephone consultation and virtual visits with a provider, will be available if necessary, to determine the need for further evaluation and/or treatment.
If a child appears ill, and the parent is concerned, they should be seen in the office. Please call 718-735-6002 ahead of time so the staff can prepare properly. Suspect patients will receive a mask at the door and must keep it on until leaving the office.
Our office is taking certain temporary precautions in light of the outbreak:
We will continue our walk-in hours of 8:00am – 10:00am and 5:00pm – 7:00 pm. Acutely ill patients will be seen during those hours and by appointment from 3:00pm – 5:00pm.
When bringing a sick child into the office, please only bring the child who is ill. Bringing other children increases the risk to your children and to those in the office. If needed, please have a babysitter stay with the other children.
During the hours of 11am-3pm, we will see newborns, well visits, and chronic/non-infectious children. This will allow us to properly disinfect the office and protect the well children. Acutely ill children WILL NOT be seen during those hours.
We urge our patients to remain calm. We are available for any questions or concerns.
Please help us help you by following the above guidelines.
A Freilichen Purim!
Eli Rosen and Associates
