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Coronavirus

Pediatric Partners does not have the ability to test.

The process for testing a patient is completed at AU as outlined below:

  1. A Patient will need to go through the free AU Health virtual screen using the online link:
    www.augustahealth.org/expresscare/covid-19-virtual-screening.
  2. The patient will communicate via the virtual screening process and will be screened by a medical provider.
  3. The medical provider will evaluate the patient and follow the Algorithm that will determine risk and/or need for testing.

PPA is working hard to stay abreast of all the new information and recommendations regarding the best ways to take care of all our patients and staff. We will update you as more information becomes available. The one certainty is that there will be changes – in how we all live, how PPA sees patients, how we communicate.

One new piece of information that we found very encouraging has been released from Seattle Children’s Hospital. Their data seems to indicate that children have a much lower incidence of infection with COVID-19. They tested 660 symptomatic children with fever and cough and found only 4 were positive for coronavirus. One was hospitalized and the other 3 were treated at home. This data clearly disproves the concern that children are asymptomatic carriers. Additionally, a study from China published in Pediatrics detailed the symptoms and illness course of 2,143 pediatric patients. They found that >90% of the children had mild/moderate illness and recovered without any problem. Excellent news for pediatricians and the families they care for!

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Please continue to contact us with your questions and concerns.

Epidemiological Characteristics of 2143 Pediatric Patients With 2019 Coronavirus Disease in China

DOWNLOAD TO READ MORE
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly supports the continued provision of health care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic unless community circumstances related to the pandemic require necessary adjustments to health supervision visits or acute and chronic care visits by general pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists and pediatric surgeons.
See below for additional guidance.

More Information:

Effective June 1, 2020:

1. We will switch the waiting rooms back to original designation.  We will keep the seating as it is right now to allow for continued social distancing.  We will continue to monitor the need and add seating as necessary.

2.  We will revert back to the normal schedule during the weekday per your specific provider.  A mixture of well, sick and rechecks as we had prior to COVID.

3. We will place limited items back into the exam rooms per your doctor’s need.

Masks will still be utilized during patient encounters, but we will continue to monitor and follow recommended guidelines. Please continue to sanitize and wash your hands.

No Testing Capability

Pediatric Partners has no ability to test for COVID19 – Cornonavirus.

As a reminder:

If you are experiencing: Fever, cough, or shortness of breath

AND / OR

Have traveled outside the United States within the last 14 days

OR

Exposed to someone with Coronavirus

PLEASE DO NOT ENTER the facility.

Return to your vehicle and contact our office at 706-854-2500. Press option 0 for immediate assistance and further instruction.

We appreciate your help with keeping our patients, staff, and community healthy!

Helpful Resources:

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection

https://www.today.com/parents/child-regression-signs-regression-kids-what-do-about-it-t177861

Pediatric Partners is reviewing daily all updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as it relates to the coronavirus (CODVID-9).

At the present time there is NO in office or local test and NO treatment for the coronavirus.  As new information becomes available, we will update our website and Facebook Page in an effort to ensure you receive the most accurate and updated information related to the coronavirus.

We do value the recommendations of the CDC and we would like to reiterate that in order to keep you, your children, our staff and physicians healthy –

  • 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. Then wash your hands.
  • 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, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • 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.
  • Face masks are not recommended

Click here to read CDC guidelines on what to do if you are sick or caring for someone.