Attention Dr. Vyas’s Patients

Due to COVID-19 We will be closing the office for all visits as to abide by the Stay-At Home Order for your safety and the safety of our staff. We are available by phone and Telehealth.

If Dr. Vyas feels you need to be seen here in the office, we will be available after prior screening for any COVID related symptoms. Please do NOT walk into our office as we will be on a limited staff.

If you need a medication refill, please contact your pharmacy or send your request via the Patient Portal we will be checking them remotely. There will always be a physician on call during this crisis.

Please leave a message and your call will be returned within 24 hours. Please do NOT leave duplicate messages.

If this is a medical emergency, Please hang up call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. 

We appreciate your cooperation Stay home and Stay safe.

General Information Regarding COVID-19

Dear Patient,

Your Physicians would like to give you an update on the Coronavirus outbreak in the US and measures you can take to minimize your exposure here in the St. Louis Metro area.

The Coronavirus virus is named “SARS-CoV-2”

The Disease is named “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19).

The virus spreads mainly from person-to-person contact between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).

It spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Fever, Cough, and Shortness of Breath may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Prevention

Avoid close contact with people who are sick 

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

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. If no tissue, cough or sneeze in your arm/sleeve.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe

Follow CDC’s recommendation for using a face mask.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

When you use a public bathroom, use a tissue or wipe to open and close doors, pump soap, turn faucet on and off.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19

People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to support vital organ functions.

People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

 

Below are some Key terms as explained by Dr. Anthony Fauci who spoke on the

most recent information concerning the COVID-19/ Corona Virus-19 global

epidemic.

 

Dr, Anthony Fauci works at the NIH (National Institute of Health) & is Director of

the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

 

He explained the subtle differences between:

Quarantine:

Take someone suspected of being infected with the Coronavirus-19 and keep them in a closed space until a certain period of time elapses beyond the incubation period of the virus so that they are unable to infect another person in case they eventually are diagnosed with Coronavirus-19.

Isolation:

isolating someone who has been diagnosed/infected with Coronavirus-19 to prevent them from infecting someone else.

Containment:

Without to within:  Attempting to prevent infection from coming

outside of an area into that area. For example, instituting a travel ban of people living in highly infected countries from entering the US.

Within: Attempting to prevent infection from spreading within an area. For example, identifying people who have been in contact with infected or exposed patients so that the contacts can undergo a containment strategy: quarantine or isolation.

Mitigation:

Attempting to prevent infection in people who have not been diagnosed with the infection and who have not had known exposure to the infection. “We have an infectious disease problem; how do we prevent further spread of the disease without necessarily implementing containment or contact tracing?”

 

Solution is “Social Distancing” = not taking unnecessary risks.

Staying away from crowded places (Cruise Ships, Plane Rides, Movies, Concerts, restaurants,

Church, etc.). Cancelling Crowded Events (School Closings, Political Rallies,

Business Conferences, etc.) Working from home (Telemedicine, Telework).

 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a wonderful informational website for

any facts you might need.

 

Please protect yourself as best possible and use best mitigation practices.

Please call us if you have Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath. Do NOT come to

office. Patients should contact our office for information on COVID-19 as needed.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Kamlesh Vyas M.D.