Attention All Patients: If you are experiencing a fever or have had symptoms of lower respiratory illness that began within 14 days of travel from another country outside the United States, specifically, any of these countries: China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Japan, or had close contact with a confirmed Coronavirus patient within 14 days of symptom onset, please do not come to the office directly – You must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below for more information and be sure to read this document completely and until the end.
The criteria for Coronavirus testing per the Florida Department of Health is as follows:
– Persons with a fever AND symptoms of lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath) who have traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea within 14 days of symptom onset.
– Persons who have had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus patient within 14 days of symptom onset and have, or have had, a fever or symptoms of lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath).
No, there is currently no vaccination available for Coronavirus.
In addition to our standard infection control protocols, our staff and cleaning service have been instructed to sanitize work areas and exam rooms and door handles on a more rigorous schedule. We are very proud of the usual condition and cleanliness of our offices, however, we have enhanced the frequency and quality of the cleaning process to protect our staff and you, our patients, to the best of our ability. We are taking additional steps to protect our patients and staff from Coronavirus, including utilizing the protocols released by the Florida Department of Health and requiring patients to wear face masks that we provide at each office on a case-by-case basis, to cover any active coughs. We strongly request that you please call the office and speak with our staff before coming into the office. Please do not come to the office directly and without an appointment – you must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions.
Patients who are experiencing flu-like symptoms but do not meet the criteria to get tested for the Coronavirus, may not have Coronavirus and should therefore call the office to schedule an appointment. Please do not come to the office directly and without an appointment – you must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions.
The virus is believed to mainly spread from person-to-person. We recommend keeping at least six feet of distance from anyone who may be sick or showing early signs or symptoms. This virus may be spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs and sneezes.
Touching infected surfaces and objects then touching your eyes, mouth and nose may be another way that someone could become infected, however, this is not thought to be the main way that this virus spreads.
There are 3 specific things you should do to protect yourself from Coronavirus:
1) Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
2) If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
3) Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Always be sure to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or with the inside of your elbow, never your hands. Also try to stay at least 6 feet away from people who are sick and do not share water bottles, drinks etc.
Another preventive action you can take, is to get a flu shot. Although a flu vaccine cannot protect you from COVID-19 directly, you are more likely to develop severe pneumonia if you were to contract both viruses simultaneously.
No. We can provide a general medical clearance exam for communicable diseases if you do not meet the testing criteria for Coronavirus. However, we cannot provide clearance specifically for COVID-19, even for patients who do not have any symptoms or do not meet the Florida Department of Health’s testing criteria.
If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community:
Stay home except to get medical care
You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Please do not come to the office directly and without an appointment – you must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
People: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. Animals: Do not handle pets or other animals while sick. You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.
Call ahead before visiting your doctor
If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. Please do not come to the office directly and without an appointment – you must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions.
Wear a facemask
You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. Please do not come to the office directly and without an appointment – you must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can; immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid sharing personal household items
You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Clean your hands often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day
High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
Monitor your symptoms
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19. Please do not come to the office directly and without an appointment – you must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed. Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate. When working with your local health department check their available hours. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
Discontinuing home isolation
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments
To stay up-to-date with the latest developments relating to Coronavirus, go to this link to visit the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) Official Government web site:
The information provided in this document is for educational and informational purposes only. This document has been compiled by our PrimeCare Medical Center staff and is being voluntarily shared with our patients and the general public to help ensure everyone stays as well-informed as possible. All of the information provided in this document is considered current and correct as of the time this document was created, however, there is no guarantee that the information that is being provided in this document will answer all questions about the current situation. PrimeCare Medical Center and all associated business DBAs and entities do not warrant or represent the accuracy or content of the material contained in this document and disclaim liability for any personal illness, sickness and/or injury, property or other damage, of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance upon this document. Until further notice, please do not come to the office directly and without an appointment – You must first call the office and speak with our staff. When you call and speak with our staff, you will be asked a few simple questions and then be instructed to schedule either a telemedicine (virtual visit) appointment with one of our doctors or a regular office visit appointment at your local Prime Care Medical Center office. Be sure to check and visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Official Government web site frequently in order to get the latest information: www.cdc.gov/covid19
