As your physicians, we are dedicated to sharing the most up-to-date information on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and committed to providing you with tools and measures to ensure your safety, while helping minimize spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Our physicians and staff closely follow guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as well as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are taking every precaution necessary to eliminate exposure to COVID-19 during your office visit. Some examples include:
- Travel restrictions – if any of our staff has traveled to any of the countries with Level 3 CDC health travel notices, they will remain at home for a period of 14 days.
- Clinic-wide review of COVID-19 prevention and protection measures daily, and communication of updates as new information becomes available.
- Implementation of a special system to handle all patients calling in with symptoms suspect of COVID-109.
Below, please find additional information and recommendations on protection and prevention measures for you, your family and the greater community. If you are concerned you have symptoms of COVID-19, please call the clinic at (601) 936-9190 or your primary care doctor for instructions on proper care and treatment. DO NOT schedule an appointment or visit the clinic before you’ve spoken with your physician. This is essential in reducing the spread of the virus.
What to do if you’ve recently traveled outside the U.S.
The CDC provides a list of all countries with Level 3 health travel notices here. If you’ve recently traveled to or from any of the countries on this list, the CDC advises you to stay home for 14 days after travel, monitor your health and practice social distancing. Specific recommendations include:
- Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
- Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
- Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
- Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
- Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
Due to the current risk of COVID-19, the CDC also recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the People’s Republic of China (this does not include the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, or the island of Taiwan).
How does COVID-19 affect pregnant women?
We understand the news of COVID-19 can be alarming and ensuring the safety of you and your baby is our top priority. ACOG and CDC do not yet know much about COVID-19’s specific effect on pregnant women and infants, however, there is no current evidence that the virus can pass from pregnant mothers to their babies. We closely monitor new data as it becomes available and will provide updates as new information is received. At this time, we advise our pregnant patients to follow the guidelines listed below to minimize spread and contraction of COVID-19.
Does COVID-19 affect breastmilk and are their special breastfeeding precautions?
CDC has developed Interim Guidance on Breastfeeding for a Mother Confirmed or Under Investigation for COVID-19. There are rare exceptions when breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk is not recommended. Whether and how to start or continue breastfeeding should be determined by the mother in coordination with her family and health care practitioners. The ACOG Practice Advisory on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) includes specific instructions and facts for women who are breastfeeding.
What should I do if I feel sick?
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call the clinic or your primary care provider to discuss next steps for treatment. Additional guidelines can be found on CDC’s webpage regarding steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick.
How do I prepare and protect my family for and from COVID-19?
CDC recommends how to protect your family, prevent the spread of COVID-19 and seek treatment here. We’ve also listed important points from CDC’s instructions below:
Prevention
- Know where to find local information on COVID-19 and local trends of COVID-19 cases. Jackson Healthcare for Women welcomes your questions and additionally recommends viewing the Mississippi Department of Health’s website for the latest information on COVID-19 in Mississippi. Mississippi Department of Health also has a COVID-19 hotline, which can be reached from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday at 877-978-6453.
- Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if symptomatic:
- Stay home when you are sick
- Call your health care provider’s office in advance of a visit
- Limit movement in the community
- Limit visitors
- Know what additional measures those at higher risk and who are vulnerable should take.
- Implement steps to prevent illness (e.g., stay home when sick, handwashing, respiratory etiquette, clean frequently touched surfaces daily).
- Create a household plan of action in case of illness in the household or disruption of daily activities due to COVID-19 in the community.
- Consider 2-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications, food and other essentials. Know how to get food delivered if possible.
- Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers).
- Establish plans to telework, what to do about childcare needs, how to adapt to cancellation of events.
- Know about emergency operations plans for schools/workplaces of household members.
Protection
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Jackson Healthcare for Women adapted information for this article from the following resources and recommends they be referred to for additional information:
ACOG Practice Advisory on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
CDC Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)