Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - April 21, 2020

​***We are now offering E-Visits done through the EMR, our system will allow for 2 way video Telehealth visits. Please call the office to schedule an E-visit.  You will need an active patient portal set-up, this can be done from an Ipad, mobile phone or computer equipped with a camera and microphone***
 
We are taking the necessary measures in our office to insure the safety of our patients as well as our staff.

1. DO NOT COME TO OFFICE IF YOU ARE SICK!
2. If you are sick please call the office and the office staff will direct you
3. All Gynecologic surgeries are canceled until at least May 2020
4. All non-OB appointments will be rescheduled, hopefully in May we can return to normal?
5. All hospital tours cancelled
6. We are not testing patients in the office for COVID-19 patients who need testing will be directed accordingly- this is to keep the non-infected patients safe.
7. Only patients are allowed in the office, please have your spouse or significant other wait in the car or come alone to your visit.
8. Dr. Prezzato will be available for E- Visits to address patients concern’s or medical issues
9. At this point hospitals are allowing 1 partner with the patient in labor

American College of OB/GYN Information

• At this time, very little is known about COVID-19, particularly related to its effect on pregnant women and infants, and there currently are no recommendations specific to pregnant women regarding the evaluation or management of COVID-19.
  
• Currently available data on COVID-19 does not indicate that pregnant women are at increased risk. However, pregnant women are known to be at greater risk of severe morbidity and mortality from other respiratory infections such as influenza and SARS-CoV. As such, pregnant women should be considered an at-risk population for COVID-19. Adverse infant outcomes (eg, preterm birth) have been reported among infants born to mothers positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. However, this information is based on limited data and it is not clear that these outcomes were related to maternal infection. Currently it is unclear if COVID-19 can cross through the transplacental route to the fetus. 
  
• In limited studies, COVID-19 has not been detected in breast milk; however we do not know for sure whether mothers with COVID-19 can spread the virus via breast milk.
  
• The predominant signs and symptoms of COVID-19 reported to date among all patients are similar to other viral respiratory infections, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Although these signs and symptoms may occur at any time during the overall disease course, children with COVID-19 may not initially present with fever and cough as often as adult patients. In a report of nine hospitalized infants in China with confirmed COVID-19, only half presented with fever.  
  
• The determination of whether or not to separate a mother with known or suspected COVID-19 and her infant should be made on a case-by-case basis using shared decision-making between the mother and the clinical team. 

  
Steps to protect yourself from getting sick

• Clean hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing)
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
• Launder items including washable plush toys as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

 
 Joseph J. Prezzato MD