Dear Community, 

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As of March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. What this means is that the WHO believes that there will be a “second wave” of infection from person to person of the COVID-19 virus. It is important that we prepare ourselves to limit the possible person to person exposure and transmission to others in our community. 

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As the trusted voice on Infectious Diseases, we are stepping up to address the public’s concerns, ensure healthcare staff is adequately protected, and develop solutions to COVID-19's unique challenges.  Given the potential impact of the virus on communities small and large, we must come together seamlessly to deploy our resources.  Beginning Friday, March 13, new patient screening guidelines went into effect at Apex Physicians.  Furthermore, Apex physicians are dramatically extending their reach as caregivers by providing more telemedicine appointments on an as-needed basis.  This provides us with the ability to quickly screen larger numbers of patients and lessens the burden on patients and specialists who can perform remote consults when needed. We are making these types of decisions out of an abundance of caution and to protect the most vulnerable, as the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 is predicted to continue to grow across the United States and the world. In addition, we are taking additional steps to ensure seamless collaboration between federal and state agencies and healthcare providers.  We all must do our part to reduce our risk of becoming ill and we must stay informed, as this public health event is continually changing. 

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Do your part to protect yourself and everyone around you: 

• Practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your face. 

• Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or use a tissue when you sneeze or cough. 

• Disinfect surfaces you touch frequently to limit spread by hand-to-surface contact. 

• Stay home if you are sick. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath), first call your primary care physician’s office. If you don’t have a primary care physician, please call our office.  

• If you feel your symptoms are getting worse, and you need emergency care, call your local emergency room FIRST and alert them of your symptoms, so the hospital is prepared upon your arrival.  

• Stay informed by trustworthy news sources! CDC.gov is a good resource. 

• Stay calm and do all you can in your personal communication to help reduce the spread of misinformation and rumors.  

 

We will continue to follow the interim CDC guidance for containment, mitigation, and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Below, please find a variety of informational links from the CDC regarding the COVID-19 and a LIVE TRACKER of the disease to keep you abreast of the unfolding pandemic.  We hope that you will share this information with colleagues, family, and friends. It is important to understand that the vast majority of individuals who develop COVID-19 will be asymptomatic or experience minimal symptoms.  Know that you are not alone in this.  Apex Physicians stand ready to provide the best care to those that are mildly concerned, to those who become seriously ill.  

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Thank you for all that you are doing to keep our neighbors, friends, and communities healthy and safe. 

 

Michael Darkoh  

Founder, CEO & Chairman

Apex Physicians