The American College of Gastroenterology recently provided the following recommendations regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Patients with IBD, autoimmune hepatitis, liver transplantation, or other conditions that require long term immunosuppressives or biologics should not hold or stop therapies as the risk of disease flare or complications outweighs the risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Be mindful of using facemasks as they are a limited resource. Only those with upper respiratory symptoms should wear facemasks in public in order to decrease the risk of spreading respiratory droplets to others. Use a facemask yourself if you are in contact with anybody who is coughing.
- The best measures to decrease the risk of contracting COVID-19 are the same as standard practices against any viral illness and include:
- Meticulous hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand sanitizers or soap and water
- Washing your hands each time you enter into a room or come in from the outside
- Coughing or sneezing into your arm as opposed to hands or air
- After using a tissue for your nose, always washing your hands and/or using hand sanitizer
- Avoiding close contact with anyone with influenza-like and/or upper respiratory symptoms
- Stay home if you are ill
Please follow the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website for the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 in the State of Alaska: http://www.dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx. Feel free to contact our clinic if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Drs. McClendon, Molloy, and Nelson