* Unfortunately, our practice is full and cannot accept any more patients. *
COVID-19 = DO NOT PANIC BUT ACT RESPONSIBLY, AND WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
(updated Jan 26)
This pandemic has been with us for almost a year, and there is still no indication of life returning to “normal” for quite some time yet. Although most people who get COVID-19 infection have a relatively mild infection and are sometimes asymptomatic, it is important to realize that some people do die from this virus and others continue to have ongoing health issues for a long time after their COVID-19 infection clears. As a result, we urge you to please continue to do your best to help reduce the spread of this infection.
Even when not in a state of emergency or lockdown state, please remember and follow these very important guidelines, which definitely do help to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- IF YOU ARE A RELATIVELY HEALTHY PERSON WITH MILD TO MODERATE COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS, STAY IN YOUR HOUSE UNTIL ALL SYMPTOMS HAVE RESOLVED, BUT PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE COVID-19 TESTING (see below).
- WASH YOUR HANDS AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN, AND AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
- PRACTICE “SOCIAL DISTANCING” AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE WELL.
- WEAR A 3-LAYER HANDMADE MASK WHENEVER YOU ARE OUT IN PUBLIC AND UNABLE TO GUARANTEE MAINTAINING 2 METRES (6 FEET) DISTANCE FROM OTHER PEOPLE.
If you have cold or flu-like symptoms but not are critically ill: STAY HOME. If you are having trouble breathing or rapid worsening of symptoms, or if you are elderly, immunosuppressed, or have a serious chronic illness, you should still go to your nearest Emergency department for assessment; wherever possible it is recommended to contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 ahead of time, so that preparations can be made in advance to help get you the medical care you require as well as minimize potential contact with other people in the process. Otherwise if you are under 65 and have no major chronic illnesses, STAY HOME. Do NOT go to your family doctor's office. Do NOT go to a walk-in clinic. Do NOT go to the emergency room. No one can "check you out" and predict if you will become severely ill. IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS COMPATIBLE WITH COVID-19, STAY HOME AND COMPLETE THE ON-LINE COVID-19 SYMPTOM SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
After you complete the self-assessment, please follow the recommendations given. If you are recommended to get COVID-19 testing, you will be provided with a list of locations where you can schedule an appointment for testing (walk-ins are not allowed).
If you are well with no respiratory symptoms at all, it is still imperative to socially distance yourself during your day to day activities. This includes avoiding going out in public as much as possible, as well as trying to maintain at least 2 metres (6 feet) distance between yourself and other people wherever feasible. It is also recommended that you wear a three-layer handmade mask when out in public, especially when it may not be possible to maintain the 2 metre distancing at all times. Please reserve N95 masks and surgical medical masks for health care facilities only. There is still a shortage of masks and other personal protective equipment in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other health care facilities.
Although you should limit close contact with people over the age of 65 as well as those with immunosuppression or severe chronic medical conditions, please try to help them out in any small way, such as dropping off groceries or supplies, since these people will be the most socially isolated of everyone. And please do not panic or lose hope, even though this pandemic is going to be with us for quite some time, until COVID-19 vaccines become widely available. If we all do our part to follow the expert recommendations to limit the spread of this virus, we will reduce the number of people who get sick and die from COVID-19 and we will also reduce the emotional and financial burdens that this pandemic has placed has upon our society.
Regarding COVID-19 vaccines: EVENTUALLY every Canadian will be able to have the COVID-19 vaccine if desired (other than those who have medical conditions that may preclude vaccination). The vaccine is being rolled out gradually, due to limited vaccine availability, with prioritization being given to those people deemed at highest risk. At the present time, COVID-19 vaccines are NOT available in doctors’ offices, and this will not change for the near foreseeable future. If you want to find out where you stand in the Canadian COVID-19 vaccination queue, please visit this link:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-ca
We have posted some other helpful links about COVID-19 below to help keep you up to date on the ever-changing picture of this pandemic. If you have any questions about any issues related to this pandemic, please phone our office to make an appointment to speak with your doctor. Stay safe everyone, wash your hands, and keep your distance!
Yours,
Dr. Scott Wright and Dr. Stefanie Wright
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
Useful links:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-ca
https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/community-assessment-centres.aspx
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
"Any person presenting a red and white OHIP card after July 1, 2020 will be required to pay for all health services until a new photo health card is obtained."
