WE ARE OPEN! WARDS CORNER PEDS UPDATE FOR COVID-19

To keep everyone as safe as possible and to do our part with containment of this virus we are taking this pandemic seriously. We are taking all precautions necessary to keep our families and staff healthy and informed. Please read all signage posted on the doors of our offices as well as up to date information on our website and facebook pages. We are beginning to make the following changes to our practice. We are abiding by the Governors mandate to restrict the number of patients/parents in the building at the same time.

Changes to our practice flow:

-NO WALK-INS, NO EXCEPTIONS. Please call if you desire an appointment.

-Limit appointments to one well parent or guardian and the patient please. 

-Well-child check ups and med checks/consults will be seen in the morning hours of both offices. 

-all sick visits will be scheduled from the hours of 1pm-4pm at both offices at this time, many of them stay in their cars and are brought directly into special rooms not used for well patients.There is no mingling in the waiting room

-if COVID-19 becomes more widespread, we may be changing to 1 office for well-visits and have the other office for sick visits.  

-if you have a well-child check up and you or your child has any sick symptoms, please call and reschedule. 

-requests for a certain provider may not be possible during these next couple of months

-bring your own toys/books as we have put ours away for the time-being

-our office is out of masks. This is a problem nation-wide. Please bring your own to wear if you are coughing or your child is coughing and you have them. 

-our office is out of hand sanitizer due to the national shortage. Please bring your own for yourself

-we are able to implement some tele-health for certain types of appointments and insurances.

On Tuesdays Dr Joyce will be in the Chesapeake office all day to see well patients ONLY!

COVID-19 INFORMATION

-We do not currently have the capability to test for COVID-19 at Wards Corner Pediatrics and do not know when or if that will occur

-if you suspect your child has COVID-19 or has been exposed, please DO NOT bring them to our office. Call and we would be happy to discuss the plan with you. Since we cannot test or treat for this illness it is in your best interest and our patients’ best interest to stay at home and quarantine if symptoms are mild.

-if you suspect your child has COVID-19 and is ill-appearing, please contact CHKD ED and alert them that you need to bring them to the ED. Again, this is NOT for testing but if you child is ill enough to need emergency medical treatment (IV fluids, oxygen, etc). 

-we are staying as up to date as possible, but please understand that we do not have time to answer general questions about the disease and need to focus on our patients. Please refer to the CDC website, Virginia department of Health website, or AAP website information regarding the disease and advisories for school closures, etc.

-know that we are disinfecting EVERY room after EVERY visit. We are additionally cleaning and disinfecting the entire office during the lunch hour. 

 Please be kind and respectful during this difficult time. We are doing our best and you should too!

If you are concerned about testing for the COVID-19 VIRUS please refer to the Sentara website for info for locations and times a phone number is provided.