London Women’s Care is committed to improving the lives of our patients and their families every single day. As part of our mission, we remain dedicated to the health and welfare of our staff and our patients. To that end, we are closely monitoring the outbreak of the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
This is an evolving issue with new information coming forth daily. As a health care organization, we are closely monitoring directives from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Kentucky Department of Health and other news sources.
For most of the American public, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low. People who have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and travelers to affected international locations are at elevated risk of exposure.
While research is ongoing, there is currently no vaccine available to prevent Coronavirus or medication to cure the infection. Supportive care, including hospitalization and even intensive care as needed, has been used to successfully manage symptoms in many patients.
Precautions you should take:
- Stay at home if you are sick and restrict contact with other people. Even at home, remain at least 6 feet away from other people while you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- The CDC continues to recommend against the use of face masks for people who do not have symptoms.
Symptoms of COVID-19
- Mild to severe respiratory illness, particularly in older people
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
If you have any of these symptoms:
- Call your physician or the Kentucky Department of Health (1-800-722-5725—open 24/7) for instructions. To limit potential exposure to other patients, do not go to your doctor’s office without calling first.
- If you are instructed to go to a doctor’s office or Emergency Department, notify the front desk staff of your symptoms immediately upon arrival so they can provide you with a mask and isolate you.
- Tell your health care provider about any recent travel or contact with people who have traveled internationally.
- Your health care provider will work with the Kentucky Department of Health and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
For patients who are pregnant:
- We know that pregnant women can contract coronavirus, but information on whether or not the infection can be transmitted to the fetus is less clear. In an abundance of caution, we encourage pregnant women to avoid large gatherings. When possible, this could include limiting some social activities, working from home rather than going to the office, and participating in college courses online rather than in-person.
Steps London Women’s Care is taking:
- LWC staff members are receiving instruction and ongoing updates about COVID-19, hand hygiene and other safety measures to decrease the likelihood of contracting or transmitting the
infection. - We are sanitizing all work areas at least twice daily.
- Staff are screening all patients to identify those who have traveled to any high risk areas within the last 14 days and/or those who are having symptoms.
- We continue to encourage our staff and patients to get the flu vaccine if they have not done so already this season.
London Women’s Care remains open and available to serve you. Coronavirus is an evolving issue. Please do not hesitate to follow the CDC website or call our office for any questions.
We encourage you to keep yourself updated on information about Coronavirus by looking at the following websites:
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Kentucky Department of Health: https://www.kycovid19.ky.gov