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Covid-19: Day 6 of Week 4: Where Are We Heading? Understanding the Numbers

By Commentary, Covid-19 Epidemic, General Science, Health Care Policy, Preventive Medicine, Primary Care 14 Comments

The next six weeks will be risky for all of us as the Covid-19 epidemic continues to extend its reach. Nevertheless, I am convinced we can all stay safe with a high degree of probability during this time, whether by keeping in our circles of safety, or by careful use of personal protective gear, providing we are rigorous in our self-protection. I present and explain a graphical model of how and why the number of active cases will likely increase and by how much over April and May.

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Covid-19: Day 7 of Week 3: Worst Yet to Come, Likely Soon

By Commentary, Covid-19 Epidemic, Health Care Policy, Preventive Medicine, Primary Care 12 Comments

Covid-19 cases in Massachusetts are expanding exponentially, which will continue through this month. Later in April we pass a peak, or just reach a high plateau. Which is not known. Hospitals, physicians and nurses are struggling still without fully adequate equipment. We have no proven drug treatments nor vaccine. Almost all of our members are safe in their circles of safety, which work. Stay in yours. Do not see others in person regardless of the holidays upcoming.

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Covid-19: Day 1 of Week 3: Safer, But at Least a Month to Go

By Commentary, Covid-19 Epidemic, General Science, Health Care Policy, Preventive Medicine, Primary Care 9 Comments

Today marked beginning of the third week of our collective quarantines. Our practice has had just several possible or likely cases of Covid-19. We will be in “lockdown” certainly through April and most likely through May. We are not providing any off label treatments at this time. Much more testing of active and past disease is needed to enable us to eventually come out of quarantine safely, as well as face masks for all. These of course are not available as yet. But a good card game to try is.

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Covid-19: Day 4 of Week 2, Lots More to Go

By Commentary, Covid-19 Epidemic, Preventive Medicine, Primary Care 9 Comments

Day 4 of Week 2: We are all in self-quarantine in our circles of safety, or should be, and approaching the very small tail end of likely infection from prior exposure. Covid-19 infections are most likely to continue increasing substantially in our communities at least through the end of April. Our office is staffed by our nurses for communications, but we are arranging all visits and contacts remotely. That has worked well so far. We request email contacts to alleviate the phone burden. PPE’s are still needed to be redirected to hospitals in short supply.

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Covid-19 Brief Update for OHC Members 3.19.20

By Commentary, Covid-19 Epidemic, Health Care Policy, Preventive Medicine, Primary Care 9 Comments

Covid-19 continues to show more cases, more hospitalized, and more rapid spread. We are increasing testing but it remains inadequate, while personal protective equipment (masks and such) is running low for medical personnel. A small bright spot is the possible utility of an old drug in preventing secondary spread. We need to rigorously continue our self protection. April and May are unlikely to be better.

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Office Procedure Changes; Covid-19 Testing Now Available, Thank You Quest!

By Covid-19 Epidemic, Preventive Medicine, Primary Care No Comments

We are adjusting our office procedures for dealing with patients with respiratory illness to allow for presence and risks of Covid-19 infections. We believe normal office care is safe and can continue. Quest labs told us yesterday that they in fact will be immediately testing for Covid-19. Great news. We will make regular use of those tests.

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