CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)
Updated August 27, 2020
As you are aware, cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, are continuing to spread in Los Angeles. Please know that your children are at very low risk. The vast majority of children who contract COVID-19 will have mild illness. This is not an absolute, however, and there are some case reports of young children getting seriously ill. The most recent report of children and COVID from the American Academy of Pediatrics was released on Aug 20 and reported an increased number of pediatric cases but still overall low hospitalization rates and very rare deaths.
There has also recently been many stories of in the news of COVID-19 causing an inflammatory response in children called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). You can read more about the condition on the Children's Hospital Los Angeles blog. Again, this is very rare but we are aware of it and watching out for it in our patients.
The good news is that you are likely already doing what is the best thing for your children: staying at home. This and social distancing will keep them safe from COVID-19, as well as lots of other viruses that are circulating in the community now.
First of all, we want to reassure our families of the preventative measures that we are taking here in the office:
The American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging parents to not delay their child’s checkups and vaccines. Immunization rates are dropping at a dangerous rate, putting millions of children at risk for measles, whooping cough, and other life-threatening illnesses.
We continue to be open every day, 365 days a year. We are here and staying safe and healthy and ready to give our patients the care that they need.
TESTING
Testing for COVID-19 remains a complicated topic. There are two types of testing available in the community:
COVID-19 PCR testing: This is testing done by a deep nasopharyngeal swab to see if you currently have an active COVID-19 infection. As of July, we are offering drive through COVID testing outside of our office for patients and their parents. An appointment is required beforehand and there will be a convenience fee which is charged per patient and is not covered by insurance. The tests will be sent to various trusted labs within Los Angeles based on availability of swabs that we have. There is also free testing available through LA County.
COVID-19 Antibody testing: Antibody testing is still of only limited clinical value, since the tests are not 100% accurate, and a positive test does not necessarily signify immunity, or safety from the virus. If you would like to discuss getting antibody testing, we recommend a telemedicine visit. This way we can take the time to the discuss the test and/or the results, and go over what the test actually signifies for each patient. We are currently not offering in-office antibody testing.
We know that things will be changing over the next few months, and it will be challenging for many families, with the school closings, limitations on gatherings, or further restrictions on travel. We are here to provide you with the best information, guidance and care that we are able to give. We are also offering telemedicine and home visits in order to keep as many patients home as possible (please visit those pages for more details).
Lastly we want to remind everyone that with the excessive amount of information currently available online, please be sure to only check updates from reputable sources including the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. We will also continuously update our website, Instagram, and Facebook page.
There has also recently been many stories of in the news of COVID-19 causing an inflammatory response in children called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). You can read more about the condition on the Children's Hospital Los Angeles blog. Again, this is very rare but we are aware of it and watching out for it in our patients.
The good news is that you are likely already doing what is the best thing for your children: staying at home. This and social distancing will keep them safe from COVID-19, as well as lots of other viruses that are circulating in the community now.
First of all, we want to reassure our families of the preventative measures that we are taking here in the office:
- We are scheduling all checkups in the mornings only. All other visits will be in the afternoon.
- No sick children will be in the waiting area. All patients with respiratory symptoms will be placed into rooms immediately upon check in. Most sick visits are being conducted via telemedicine.
- All toys and books have been removed from the waiting area and exam rooms
- Exam rooms are cleaned thoroughly after each visit and main areas (bathrooms, waiting room, front door) are cleaned multiple times throughout the day
- There are specific exam rooms that are reserved for well visits only and will NOT have sick kids in them
- Risk factors for possible COVID-19 infection (travel history, known exposure, etc) are being screened for via phone when appointments are scheduled
- Our office is stocked with personal protective equipment (aka PPE) for our staff (masks, gloves, gowns, eyeglasses) to protect ourselves from being exposed and to prevent transmission.
- Everyone in the office - including doctors, staff, parents and patients >2 years old - are required to wear a mask at all times
- We will be asking for a credit card number when each appointment is made, as we are trying to limit both the time spent with people at checkout, and the passing back and forth of cards and pens with our front office staff.
- As a reminder, our office building does have a stairwell if you prefer not to take the elevators
The American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging parents to not delay their child’s checkups and vaccines. Immunization rates are dropping at a dangerous rate, putting millions of children at risk for measles, whooping cough, and other life-threatening illnesses.
We continue to be open every day, 365 days a year. We are here and staying safe and healthy and ready to give our patients the care that they need.
TESTING
Testing for COVID-19 remains a complicated topic. There are two types of testing available in the community:
COVID-19 PCR testing: This is testing done by a deep nasopharyngeal swab to see if you currently have an active COVID-19 infection. As of July, we are offering drive through COVID testing outside of our office for patients and their parents. An appointment is required beforehand and there will be a convenience fee which is charged per patient and is not covered by insurance. The tests will be sent to various trusted labs within Los Angeles based on availability of swabs that we have. There is also free testing available through LA County.
COVID-19 Antibody testing: Antibody testing is still of only limited clinical value, since the tests are not 100% accurate, and a positive test does not necessarily signify immunity, or safety from the virus. If you would like to discuss getting antibody testing, we recommend a telemedicine visit. This way we can take the time to the discuss the test and/or the results, and go over what the test actually signifies for each patient. We are currently not offering in-office antibody testing.
We know that things will be changing over the next few months, and it will be challenging for many families, with the school closings, limitations on gatherings, or further restrictions on travel. We are here to provide you with the best information, guidance and care that we are able to give. We are also offering telemedicine and home visits in order to keep as many patients home as possible (please visit those pages for more details).
Lastly we want to remind everyone that with the excessive amount of information currently available online, please be sure to only check updates from reputable sources including the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. We will also continuously update our website, Instagram, and Facebook page.
