By now, most people have heard the term "flatten the curve". Flattening an epidemic curve means to slow the rate of new infections so that the healthcare system can keep up with it. At this time, the number of cases in Texas appears to have slowed dramatically and is likely declining. At the same time, hospitals are running below capacity and there is little danger that they will become overwhelmed.
The focus now is on preventing a second spike in the number of cases as things return to normal. The coronavirus is still widespread in the Irving Texas area and throughout North Texas, and if people are not cautious there could be an increase in infections. However, common sense measures are likely to keep the virus under control.
Here are the main things to do now:
- Avoid crowded places, especially at peak hours.
- When you do need to go out, wear a mask covering your nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after going out in public, and avoid touching your face.
- If you are sick or have recently been sick, avoid close contact with others, especially older people or those with heart or lung disease.
- Spend more time outdoors, less time indoors.
At this time, Academic Medical Associates is open for in-person appointments and is also offering on-line telemedicine visits, especially for those who have symptoms (cough, fever, etc) that could be related to COVID-19.
In addition, we anticipate that non-essential healthcare services in our community (for example, elective surgeries) will be resuming in the near future. If you have been delaying your healthcare while waiting for the epidemic to subside, now would be a good time to start making plans. Please contact us at your earliest convenience if you would like to schedule a consultation.
